Redeemer Los Alamos

Jesus = Religion

2012-01-24T19:39:00.001-08:00

The Epiphany of Our Lord

2012-01-06T06:12:00.000-08:00

Matthew Harrison- President of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

It's Still Christmas!!!

2012-01-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T11:12:00.001-08:00

Still in Advent and Still Waiting

2011-12-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Sacred Christmas Music

2011-12-16T07:35:00.001-08:00

The Pulpit Used by C.F.W. Walther for Preaching the Gospel

2011-11-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

The "Not-So-Great-Commission" Parts 1 and 2

2011-11-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

Issues, Etc. Journal- Fall 2011(click here)

Issues, Etc. Journal- Summer 2011(click here)

Sermon on Isaiah 55

2011-11-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 55:6-9

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

In the days of Isaiah the prophet, people were seeking the mediums, the necromancers, and the false prophets. They were seeking for God in all the wrong places. He never promised to be found in those places. They were calling out to Him in ways in which He never promised them that He would hear them. They became spiritually blind and deaf to the word of God. Yet, for the sake of His covenant with Abraham and David the LORD sought out the lost and called out through the voice of His prophets.

Isaiah called out saying, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near…” (Isaiah 55:6, ESV) Now we can understand the idea of seeking and finding. But take note that the key is not in the seeking but in the finding. I could send you out on a treasure hunt in the mountains seeking for a hidden chest of gold. You could seek for years and never find it if you don’t know where to look. Likewise, we can easily understand the calling upon one while he is near. Once more, the key is not that action of calling, but rather calling out when one can be reached. It won’t matter how many times a person tries to call you if you are nowhere near your phone. If you can’t hear it, then you won’t answer it. The phone can ring and ring and ring, but if no one is near it won’t be answered.

In addition to understanding the seeking and calling, take note that the finding and nearness of God are set in a window of time. It says, to seek while He may be found and to call while He may be heard. Like a special offer promoted to the consumer, there is a time when the seeking and calling is valid. After the expiration date has come it is too late.

So, when is the proper time to seek and to call? It is your whole life long. On the last day, time has expired and the special promotional offer is no longer valid. Our whole lives the LORD seeks after us calling out to us saying, “Seek Me and Live. All who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved. Come to Me.”

Isaiah goes on to call them to repentance declaring, “…let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; (Isaiah 55:7, ESV) First of all, recall that the wicked and unrighteous are the those without faith. It is not their ways or thoughts that make them wicked and unrighteous; rather, they have wicked ways because they are wicked and unrighteous thoughts because they are unrighteous.

Second, notice that Isaiah is not teaching them a religion of moralism. These are those who do not trust in the promises of God. They are in a state of wickedness and unrighteousness. Likewise, Isaiah is not teaching them a new method to become holy; instead, he calls them to forsake their ways and their thoughts.

Third, this does not mean that as believers, who are righteous in God’s sight by faith in Christ, we should act as if this passage has nothing to do with us. We cannot freely embrace wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. We too are called to forsake such ways and thoughts. As St. Paul says in our epistle lesson, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27, ESV) We are being taught by the Holy Spirit that the way of the righteous is to act and think righteously. Even as the baptized, sin still clings to us manifesting itself in wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. For this reason, we draw before the presence of our Triune God confessing our sins in our thoughts, words, and deeds. As believers, we are in the state of righteousness which means that we are learning to forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts.

Isaiah goes on to teach us by saying, “let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7, ESV) Again, this shows to us that it is not just enough to cease and desist from wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, there must be a reckoning. He must turn and face the LORD. But, God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. While there is still time, while the LORD can be found, and while the LORD is near, the wicked are called to turn to the LORD so that God can show him compassion and not destruction. The purpose for turning to the LORD is to gain a full pardon. Now is the time to receive forgiveness. At the end of time the wicked and unrighteous will receive punishment. The LORD pardons abundantly. Even those who are righteous by faith sin much and desire nothing but God’s anger and wrath. Yet, the LORD abundantly pardons us for the sake of Christ.

Natural knowledge cannot teach us this great news. As the LORD says through the mouth of Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV) There is an enormous difference between our ways and thoughts and the LORD’s ways and thoughts. We can’t say that “We missed it by that much.” His ways and thoughts are as far away as the heavens are from us. This teaching must be revealed. Thus, the Holy Spirit enlightens us to know that now is the day of salvation. Now is the time of grace and mercy. We are called to seek the LORD now while He may be found and call upon Him now while He is near. But how is He to be found and where is He near us?

The LORD does not leave us guessing. He does not send us on a wild goose chase in which we seek and call without a location. The ways and the thoughts of the LORD do not stay in the heavens out of our reach. If you were to read on past today’s Old Testament text to the next verse in Isaiah you would read the answer. The LORD declares, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11, ESV) He gives to us His word from heaven. In fact, the Father sent forth His Son. God sent the Word Incarnate so that we may know the compassion and abundant pardon of the LORD upon us. Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

We gather this day to “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near…” (Isaiah 55:6, ESV) Isaiah teaches us to seek the LORD while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near. Again the key is in the finding and in the nearness of God to be heard. Yet, we are not to wait until we get around to seeking and calling, for tomorrow maybe far too late. We are directed to seek God in Christ now. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19–20, ESV)

Where is Christ to be found and where is He near? Christ is present in His word in which He is compassionate. He is present in the Sacrament of the Altar in which He abundantly pardons us. In His promise to dwell among us for our benefit, God is teaching us His thoughts and His ways. We seek the LORD where He has promised to be found. Through the gospel and sacraments He is near us to deliver His compassion to us. In the hearing of the gospel and the receiving of the Sacrament, we live in the window of time of abundant pardon. Now is the time of grace. Amen.

Speed Painting of Martin Luther

2011-10-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Crucified and Risen Christ

2011-10-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ go together. You can’t have one without the other. If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is futile. If Christ had not been crucified, then our debt still stands. After the day of Pentecost, the Apostles began to proclaim the message of salvation, namely, that Christ has died for us and Christ has risen for us.Therefore, theologically and architecturally, the placement of the double image of the crucifixion and the resurrection at the central point of the sanctuary is most appropriate. These images declare the teaching of the Apostles. The image of the cross is the symbol of the death of Christ. The title plate at the top of the cross explains why He was put to death. It reads, “INRI” which stands for Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. The long awaited King was rejected. The people turned their backs on Him. Yet, God has not turned His back upon humanity. Thus, the Resurrected Christ in the window faces those who have gathered at the foot of the cross with welcoming arms. At His feet are planted a row of Easter lilies. Just as a bulb is placed into the earth for a time, the body of Jesus was laid in the tomb for a time. Then when it is spring, the lilies burst forth from the earth and show forth their glory. Likewise, after three days, the Son of Man burst forth from the tomb to show forth His glory.

The crucifixion of Jesus is commonly referred to as Christ being hung on a tree (See Acts 5:29-32; 10:39-43; 13:26-31) . Now we know that a cross is made out of wood from a dead tree. Theologically, we can’t help but make the connection between a tree being cut down and Jesus being cut off from His people. We can’t help but see death in a piece of wood. If you cut a branch off, it dies. In the act of crucifixion, a dead tree is used as an instrument to bring death. On the other hand, a living tree, especially one that bears fruit, brings life.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Luther the Graphic Novel

2011-10-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

New Lutheran School in Vietnam

2011-09-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

2011-09-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Redeemer Theological Academy

2011-07-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Fall 2011

The Apostle Peter teaches us, “...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

The goal of the Redeemer Theological Academy is to enable the saints to confess the Christian Faith handed down to us from the Apostles. In this age of competing religions and spiritualties, it is the special gift that each Christian has the opportunity to confess the Faith in the midst of an unbelieving world. These courses are designed to help you articulate what you believe and why you believe it. All courses are free to anyone interested. Please see the listing of seminars below. For more information contact us at 662-0782.

Sunday, August 21 @ 7 PM
Christ in the Psalms---Dr. Reed Lessing

Dr. Reed Lessing serves as Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. In the Greek New Testament (USB, 4th edition), the “Index of Quotations” lists more than 400 quotations from the book of Psalms. Of course this list includes phrases as well as complete verses. Yet, by any standard, the Psalter has impacted the New Testament in a profound way. Moreover the likes of Augustine, Ambrose, and Luther strongly encouraged people to spend significant daily time in the Psalms. Ambrose even went as far as to refer to the books “a gymnasium for the soul,” where the believer exercises every day! For those who treasure, love and pray the psalms, “Psalms” will offer an in-depth study of several psalms like 1, 2, 19, 23, 46, 73, and 110. Participants will also learn how to read the Psalter in its Old Testament context as well as in its multiple New Testament fulfillments in Jesus.

Sunday, August 28 @ 7 PM
The Attributes of God (Part I)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss who God is. Our knowledge of God is given to us as a gift revealed in His written word. Because of our finite minds which are limited, God, who is infinite, uses language that we can relate to in our own lives. Thus, the LORD reveals His attributes in humanly terms. Not only does the LORD use such figurative language to help us in our weakness, He also employs the use of describing His essence with various attributes. The essence of God is His being. It is who He is. The attributes of God are the characteristics which flow from His being. It is what He does. God is love. Thus, He loves. Yet, the divine essence and attributes are absolutely identical. They cannot be divided from each other. But because of our weakness, the LORD descends to our level so that we may hear Him speak to us. By separating out the various attributes, He gives to us that which we can only grasp by faith.

Sunday, September 4 @ 7 PM
The Attributes of God (Part II)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we continue our discussion as we continue to learn to believe who God says that He is.Only through the revealed knowledge from God can one know that the God who created all things was incarnate, dwelt among us as true man, suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven in which He stands in our behalf. The subject of theology is the true knowledge of God, but this is not obtained by a mere observation of creation; rather, the true knowledge of God comes to us in Jesus Christ. To know Jesus is to know God. The purpose of studying theology is for the sake of obtaining faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ through whom we have life, salvation, and the forgiveness of sins.

Sunday, September 11 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (Introduction)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the historical settings and language of the church revolving around the teaching of the doctrine of the Blessed Holy Trinity. This mystery is not a product of human reason or Greek philosophy. It is recieved by the revelation of God given to us in the written scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The goal of this class will be to gain a clear way in which to communicate the Christian Faith.

Sunday, September 18 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (New Testament Part I)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the gospels. We will focus on the revelation at the baptism of Jesus, in which all three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity are present and active. We will also learn from John the distinction in the divine persons of the Holy Trinity revealed by the sending of the Son from the Father and also the sending of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son.

Sunday, September 25 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (New Testament Part II)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the epistles. In the epistles we are taught to maintain the unity of the divine essence while confessing the distinction in the three persons of the Holy Trinity. All three are given equal honor, glory, and worship. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are coeternal, coequal, and consubstantial.

Sunday, October 2 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (Old Testament Part I)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the five books of Moses. We will see the distinction in the persons of the Father and the Son, as the Father sends the Son to reveal Him to the people of Israel. We will learn that all three persons of the Blessed Holy Trinity were active in the creation, exodus from Egypt, and the promises of the Messiah.

Sunday, October 9 @ 7 PM
The Holy Trinity (Old Testament Part II)---Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In this class, we will discuss the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the writings of the Prophets. We will look at the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the communication of the word of God to the people of God. We will see the emphasis on the glorification of the Son. We will focus our attention of the distinction in persons found in the book of Isaiah.

Images in the Lutheran Church

2011-07-28T09:50:00.001-07:00

Sermon: On the Holy Trinity

2011-07-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

Trinity Sunday, 2011

Genesis 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

On this day, we celebrate the revealed knowledge of the Blessed Holy Trinity. We believe in one God who created all things, redeemed us from our sin, and sanctifies us in our bodies. He is one undivided divine essence that subsists in three divine persons. The Eternal Father is unbegotten, the Eternal Son is begotten, and the Eternal Holy Spirit proceeds. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-eternal, meaning that there never was a time in which they did not exist. They are consubstantial, meaning that they are of the same divine essence. Each person of the Holy Trinity is fully and completely God. Thus, each person of the Holy Trinity is given equal honor, praise, and glory. We worship the Trinity in Unity and the Unity in Trinity neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a mystery meaning that it cannot be understood by human logic. It must be revealed and thus held to by faith. Therefore, all analogies found in creation are only illustrations and they cannot teach the truth of the Trinity in themselves. Such images include St. Patrick’s three leaf clover or the notion that water can exist as a liquid, gas, or solid. The problem with such illustrations is that they can never prove the existence of the Trinity. In fact, if these images are taking too far they incorrectly teach about the Trinity. For example, each one of the leaves on a clover is not the complete clover in itself. Likewise, a single molecule of water cannot exist in all three forms at the same time.

Our understanding of the Holy Trinity must come to us from the word of God which reveals to us all that we need to know for salvation. This is not a teaching that comes from Greek Philosophy. It is given to us throughout the Holy Bible. For example, in the New Testament scriptures, the revelation of the Holy Trinity is given to us at the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the waters of the Jordan River stands Jesus the perfect man. In distinction to the person of Jesus, the Father speaks that this is His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. The third person of the Holy Trinity is revealed separately from the Father and the Son in the form of a dove. He marks Jesus as the Christ that is the Anointed One.

This revelation of the Blessed Trinity is given to each one of us in our own baptism in which we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. In the Greek, the word for name is a singular noun teaching us the unity of the divine essence. It does not say “names.” It says “name.” Yet, there are three that are named teaching us the distinction in the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Each person is given the same honor, praise, and glory.

In the Old Testament scriptures, we are taught in the very first book of the Bible to believe in one God who created all things while at the same time making a distinction of the plurality of divine persons. Verse one states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, ESV) In the Hebrew, the word for created is a singular verb. Here we begin to learn to maintain the unity of the divine essence. The Hebrew word for God is a plural noun. Here we begin to learn that there is a plurality of divine persons. This understanding is further taught when God says, “Let us”… … “make man in our own image… …And God created man in His own image.” (Genesis 1:26-27, ESV)

In addition, verses two and three from today’s first reading state, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said…” (Genesis 1:2-3, ESV) Again we are taught to distinguish between the plurality of persons. We make a distinction between God who spoke, the Word of God that was spoken, and the Spirit of God who hovered. All three persons of the Holy Trinity are eternal. They all existed before creation.

Now from the first chapter of the Bible, we begin to learn about the Creator and His creation. God is eternal. God is good. God is all knowing. God is all powerful. It is God alone who does all the action. God created. God said. God made. God called. God saw. God set. God blessed. At the end of the six days of creation, God saw that everything that He had created was very good.

To be good is to have life. In chapter two of the first book of Moses, we begin to learn about how the good creation went bad. To be bad is to lose life. Sin brings death. After the death of the first man, all those who came from him were born to die. We all have this sinful flesh which brings death. From our sin infected hearts come all desires that reject that which is good. Our sinful nature gravitates toward that which is bad. We wrongfully try to take away the good gifts given to our neighbor whether it be the gift of life, fathers, mothers, marriage, possession, reputation, etc…

To fallen creation, it is bad news to know that God is the Creator and He alone is good. The all-knowing God knows all of our sins. The all-powerful God punishes us for our sins. The sinful flesh must be put to death. Those religions of the world that do not believe and teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity have no hope in the life to come. They remain part of the fallen creation that is in a state of rebellion with its Creator. No matter how they try, they cannot amend for their sin nor gain the Creator’s favor.

However, to fallen creation it is good news to know that God Himself took upon creation being born of a woman. Here we learn the distinction between the person of the Father and the person of the Son. The Father sent the Son. In the holy Incarnation, the second person of the Holy Trinity was born that we might live. For in Him is life. But we crucified Him. Our sin brought upon His death. But in a strange turn of events His death brings life. St. Peter declares in our second reading, “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24, ESV) He died a cursed death becoming a curse for us. He took what was bad and made it good. Thus, we call the Friday on which He was crucified good. Christ offered Himself to God the Father through the eternal Spirit. (Hebrews 9:14) As St. Paul says in Ephesians chapter two, “through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18, ESV)

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity teaches us the complete story. It is God alone who creates us, redeems us, and sanctifies us. To know Christ is to know God. To have Jesus is to have the Father. It is Christ who has reconciled us to the Father. In Christ, we have God’s favor. We are well pleasing to the Father for the sake of the Son.

The Father and the Son send the Spirit. St. Peter declares, “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:33, ESV) Just as the Spirit hovered over the waters at creation and washes us in the waters of the new creation, He continues to be poured out upon us by Jesus. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11, ESV) The Spirit continues to sanctify us.

As those who have been baptized, we have the Name of the Living God. As disciples, we are continuing to live out our baptism which means dying to our old nature that wants to rebel against God and at the same time living as adopted sons of God who desire to do the Lord’s will. As disciples, we are continuing to learn all that Jesus has taught. As disciples, we continue to rejoice in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lutheran Liturgical Theology

2011-07-26T08:00:00.001-07:00

Coram Deo 2011

2011-07-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

This was the first year that Redeemer Lutheran Church in Los Alamos attended a Higher Things youth conference. We were able to tag along with the youth group from Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. We traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada in order to gather on the campus of UNLV. This was a five day long event.

What an amazing conference. The theme was Coram Deo which is Latin for "before God." Because of the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, we can stand before God as forgiven and holy. The youth were taught about the wonder gift that we receive from the Lord in the gospel and the sacraments. They listened to Lutheran pastors who emphasized the importance of our identity in Christ. It is through Christ alone that we have access to the Father in the Spirit. Salvation is not a process by which we draw closer to God; instead, in Christ we stand before God now. We live Coram Deo.

Not only were there large group presentations, there were also smaller sectionals that went into depth on a variety of topics. To tie all the teaching together, the conference opened with the Divine Service and closed with the Divine Service in which participants particiapted in Holy Communion. We received the very body and blood of our Savior who makes us holy before God. In addition, each day we began with the liturgy of Matins. In the afternoon we gathered for the liturgy of Vespers. After dinner, we gathered for the liturgy of Evening Prayer. Then before we went to bed, we gathered together in the dorms for Prayer at the Close of the day.

Each year Higher Things youth conferences are scheduled throughout the United States. In the summer of 2011, conferences were held in Las Vegas, NV, in Atlanta, GA and in Bloomington, IL. Next summer, there will be four conferences including one in Canada.

Higher Things is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Churh--Missouri Synod. Its goal is to encourage Lutheran youth in their identity as Lutherans.

Role of Theological Education in Missions

2011-07-21T09:53:00.001-07:00

The Augsburg Confession

2011-06-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

June 25, 1530-- Presentation of the Augsburg Confession

At the city of Augsburg, the Lutheran princes confessed their faith before the Emperor Charles V. After stating that we hold to the doctrine of the Trinity, original sin, and the person and work of Jesus Christ, they confessed the foundation doctrine of the Christian faith, namely, justification. We still confess the same faith. We declare with them saying,

Also they [our churches] teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Romans 3 and 4.

Augsburg Confession- Article IV.

Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921).

Bible on Trial Television Program

2011-06-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

From the Reporter website (http://classic.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=18842)

LHM's 'Bible on Trial' to air on national TV

Lutheran Hour Ministries will have two nationwide airings of its full-length television program, "The Bible on Trial: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt."

On Saturday, June 18, the program will air at 6 p.m. Eastern time on the Inspiration Network (INSP, Channel 259 on Dish Network and Channel 364 on DirecTV; the Inspiration Network is also available on 2,800 other local cable systems).

The program will air again on Monday, July 18, at 9 p.m. Eastern time, through the National Religious Broadcasters Network (Channel 378 on DirecTV and Channel 126 on Sky Angel, as well as online at www.nrbnetwork.tv). Check local listings for other times.

Hosted by Attorney Craig Parton, author of "The Defense Never Rests: A Lawyer's Quest for the Gospel," the program asks a key question of some of the world's foremost authorities in biblical scholarship and ancient history: "Are the Bible and its claims trustworthy?"

Responding to the question is a panel of experts that includes Dr. Paul L. Maier, longtime history professor at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich., and LCMS third vice-president; Dr. Randall Price of Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.; Dr. Jeff Kloha, associate professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and Joel Lampe of The Bible Museum, Goodyear, Ariz.
After weighing the evidence from contemporary non-Christian writers and archaeological, bibliographic and eyewitness sources, the panel affirms the reliability of the biblical record. The program concludes with a call to the viewer: "What is your verdict?"

"The Bible on Trial" began airing in May on AMG TV network stations in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Nashville, Detroit, Cincinnati, New York, Orlando, Dallas, Seattle and many other cities. More airings are scheduled in the coming months. For broadcast dates and times, visit the Broadcast Guide at www.thebibletrial.com.

Pentecost 2011

2011-06-16T13:50:00.000-07:00

2011-05-26T14:27:00.001-07:00

Christ Has Died and Christ Has Risen. Alleluia!

2011-05-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

In our new sanctuary, the crucifix emphasizes the work of redemption, the stained glass window emphasizes the person of Christ as our Redeemer who lives and reigns to all eternity. In the Old Testament scriptures Job confesses, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" (Job 19:25-27, ESV) Although we did not see the resurrected Christ with our own eyes, the stained glass window will continually remind us of the hope that we have. As we gather to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd here in time, we confess with Job saying, “I know that my Redeemer lives and one day in my resurrected body I shall see Him for myself.”

The image of the resurrected Christ testifies that the redemption upon the cross has been completed. As St. Paul teaches us, “[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25, ESV) His death is the payment for the sin of the world. His life is the absolution of the world. All of our sins have been forgiven. Theologically and architecturally, the contrast between the plain wood of the crucifix and the brilliant colors of the window are striking. The body on the cross is lifted up in order to draw all people to Him while the living Christ in the window stands upon the earth just like Job said to invite all people to come to Him. The death of Jesus was a dark day filled with mourning. The resurrection of Jesus was a day of light filled with joy. The placement of the window over the altar will allow for rays of sunlight to illuminate the space with the brilliance of colored glass. In this space, we can confidently say, “I believe that Christ has redeemed me and I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Debate on the Veracity of the Resurrection

2011-05-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

Listen to Dr. David Scaer of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN debate the veracity of the Resurrection with Dr. Robert Price. Listen live at Table Talk Radio or Pirate Christian Radio.

Sermon: Easter Sunday, 2011

2011-05-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Easter 2011

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Colossians 3:1-7

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

What an amazing contrast there is between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Friday we focused on the crucifixion of our Lord and now we focus on the resurrection of our Savior. He was crucified for our transgression and raised to life for our justification. Previously, we emphasized the humiliation of the Christ by sinful humanity and now we emphasize the exaltation of the Christ by the Father. We have journeyed from death to life. Jesus was put to rest in the tomb and now He stands at God’s right hand. As the first man Adam came from the dust and was brought to life, the Second Adam Jesus gave up His life to be brought to the dust. Yet, once again, from the dust of the earth comes life as Jesus is the first fruits of the Resurrection.

On this day, we learn about the power of the Resurrection of Jesus and what it means for us. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Faith teaches us how we appropriate the blessing of Easter in our own bodies and lives. These blessings are conferred through the preaching of the gospel and received with faith.

Our Gospel text from St. Matthew was written for us so that we too may believe that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing we too may have life. To begin with, we are given an account of those who saw the empty tomb. Matthew tells us that the women went to the tomb where the body of Christ had been placed. The angel declared to them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” (St. Matt. 28:5-6, ESV) The words of Jesus had been fulfilled. He was handed over to the religious leaders, He suffered, He died, He was buried, and on the third day He rose again. These women saw the empty tomb with their own eyes confirming what their ears had heard. They couldn’t keep this wonderful news a secret. Thus, they went and told the eleven. As the last chapter continues to unfold, we learn that Jesus appeared to the eleven and instituted the office of holy ministry through which the gospel is preached and disciples of all nations are made by teaching and baptizing.

In Acts chapter ten, we are told how the Apostle Peter was sent to the house of Cornelius to make disciples of the Gentiles by teaching and baptizing. Peter states, “Jesus commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43, ESV) Here we have an account of the apostles preaching the empty tomb in the preaching office that Jesus had placed them into. The apostolic message is rooted in the teaching of the prophets who all preached the person and work of Christ.

Christ is the appointed mediator between man and God reconciling sinners to the Father by taking upon our sin. Thus, Jesus was judged on Good Friday and cursed upon the cross becoming a curse for us in order to free us from the curse of the law. In His body, He was put to death. Yet, in His body He overcame death and the grave. In His body, He has conquered sin and death and turned away God’s wrath that was upon us. As He opened the grave to show that His body cannot be held there. He has opened heaven to show that because of Him our bodies shall dwell with Him there.

In His victory over death, He has procured life for us. In His defeat of the devil, He has won salvation for us. In His triumph over sin, He has secured forgiveness for us. Christ has been appointed judge of the living and the dead. He was judged guilty so that we would be judged innocent. He was crucified for our transgressions and raised for our justification.

To be justified in God’s sight is to be declared righteous on account of Christ’s righteousness. Here we have the chief article of the Apostolic Faith. Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name and where there is forgiveness there is life and salvation. We have been justified, that is, counted without sin, because of the person and work of Christ alone. We have the remission of all of our sins for Christ’s sake. Only in the name of Jesus is there forgiveness. He has won God’s favor for us. There is nothing that we can do to gain God’s favor in our person or work. This credited righteousness is freely given by grace alone and received through faith alone.

Now as soon as we talk about Jesus earning credit for us, there are those who get confused and mistakenly think that we can earn extra credit points with God. It doesn’t help that our school kids are taught that when they take a test they can get all the questions correct and on top of that score can earn extra credit points. In this way, they boast of test grades that are over 100% such as a 102% or a 104%. That’s not how things work with the gospel. In Jesus, we are credited with His perfection. We can’t earn extra credit points with God by becoming holier than Jesus or more righteous than Christ. The gospel rejects any boasting of those who aspire to their own holiness based upon their own works. We cannot make God any happier with us. In Christ, the Father is well pleased with us. God’s favor cannot be achieved through the works of the law or human achievement. God’s favor is given to us freely for the sake of Christ alone.

So if good works do not gain us any extra credit points with God, then where do good works come into play in the life of the justified believer? Good works do not earn favor with God or gain a better standing with Him. Instead, they are the fruits manifesting the reality of the blessings of the Resurrection in our own bodies. They show forth the newness of life that God is working in us.

Notice that our epistle lesson is written for those who are already disciples, that is, those who have been baptized and continue to be taught. Here the Apostle Paul teaches us about the power of the resurrection in our lives as baptized believers. On the day of our baptism, we were united with Christ on the day of Good Friday and on the day of Easter Sunday. Each day we are to die to sin and live to the glory of God the Father.

In chapter two of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we are taught that we were buried with Christ in our baptism and also raised with Christ through faith. He begins chapter three with this assumption saying, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:1-3, ESV) Take note that it is God who has buried us and raised us with Christ. This is not something that we have done or can achieve. We now stand in Christ as a gift from God.

As those who have been buried and raised with Christ, we are learning to seek the things above and to set our minds on the things above. We are not to seek the things of the earth which lead to death and the grave. We are not to set our minds on the things of the earth which lead to sin and unbelief. Instead, we are to set our eyes on Jesus. To seek is to look for a clear goal. In a race, a runner seeks the finish line. To set our minds is to be determined that we desire to reach that destination. In Christ, we have made up our minds. Heaven is our goal.

For the believer to say that Christ is risen from the dead is to say that he or she lives in Christ and Christ lives in him or her. To those with ears to hear, the resurrection of Christ should be at work in you bringing to death all that is not in harmony with God’s will and bringing to life new desires by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is the supreme blessing of the resurrection in our lives making us alive, giving us new life, bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. You see, we are spiritually alive now through faith. Then on the Last Day, we shall be alive in our bodies see our Redeemer with our own eyes. As we seek the things that are above and set our minds on the things that are above God is at work in us bringing about His will in our lives on earth as it is done in heaven where Christ is seated.

The way of the world is to deny Christ and to live in sin. The way of the flesh is to be alive in sexual immorality, impurity, evil desires, and covetousness. The way of the gospel is to confess Christ and to die to sin. The way of the Spirit is to live in Christ. We are being taught by the Holy Spirit to guard against sin. We are to crucify our sinful desires, receive the forgiveness of Christ declared in the resurrection and to live in newness of life beginning on earth and completed in heaven.

These last few weeks of Lent, I have had quite a bit of trouble with my computer. It has gone kaput. I ordered a new computer and now I have it in hand. Over this weekend I have begun to use the new computer. My new computer is faster, sleeker, and much more powerful. Now it would be silly for me to cast the new computer to the side and return to the old computer. Why would I subject myself to that kind of frustration? That old computer is dead to me. If we realize how silly it would be to prefer an old broken worthless computer to a new working computer, how much more should we realize that we should seek the things above, set our mind on the things above, and live as those who are with Christ above?

The Holy Spirit teaches us to take sin seriously and not to be deceived into living in the old ways of the world that is in rebellion to God. We are warned so that we are not cast out of the kingdom. Rather, we should examine our hearts, guard, and refrain from sin. We are to cast out sin from our lives. By nature we are dogs who return to our own vomit. The enticement of sin is strong.

As those who have been resurrected with Christ, we are called to struggle against sin, we are to contend against the way of the world, and subject ourselves to affliction and hardship by the aid of the Holy Spirit. We are learning to pray not my will be done but Thy will be done in my life on earth as it is in heaven. We live in great weakness and continue to need strength. Thus, we pray for help. We ask that the kingdom of God would come to us. We ask that God’s will would be done in our lives. We ask that our trespasses would be forgiven for the sake of Christ.

In Christ we are sheep who hear the voice of our Risen Shepherd who assures us that He has overcome our sin. Through His resurrection we are certain that “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43, ESV) Because He lives we live. Christ is our life. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3, ESV) We have gathered this day to continue to learn to believe that our Redeemer lives. He lives in us while we dwell in this dust and on the last day He shall stand on the earth and we will see Him with our own eyes. Amen.

Easter 2011

2011-04-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

The Death and Resurrection of Christ

2011-04-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

The Death and Resurrection of Christ
It was necessary for Jesus to suffer. When Jesus suffered, he suffered in our place. He suffered both bodily and spiritually. He was mentally tormented with mockery and physically beaten with nails and whips. He suffered to the point of death. Yet, he was obedient.

As hard as we try, we cannot obey God to the point of death. No one will be declared righteous by observing the law. Instead, “through the law we become conscious of sin” (Rom. 3:20 NIV). The wages of sin is death. In Adam we receive our wages of physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death. Under the law, we have been given a death sentence. The law kills. Without Christ we are sentenced to death in body and soul leading to an eternity of separation from the love of God. In fact, without Christ, we are already dead in our sins. A dead man cannot stand before God and pay the price for his own sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Because of our sin, we stand condemned.

In walks Jesus, to stand in our place. It was necessary for Jesus to die. When Jesus died, he died in our stead. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. His blood was shed, so that our sins would be forgiven. Where we earned death, Christ has given us life. When we were baptized, we were united into His death. By faith in Jesus, our Old Adam is put to death. In Christ we die to our sins.

It was necessary for Jesus to rise on the third day. When Jesus rose from the dead, the world was justified. St. Paul declares at the end of Romans chapter 4 that, “He was delivered over death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Then he begins chapter five by saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Rom. 4:25 NIV).

When Jesus rose from the grave, the world was absolved from all sin. We are no longer at war with God. Apart from Christ, we were God’s enemies. In our baptism, we have been united with Christ in His resurrection. Just as He was raised by the glory of the Father, we too are raised to walk in newness of life. In Christ, we are made alive toward God.
Now in Christ we are friends and even sons of God. We are able to stand in God’s presence. The same Risen Lord who came to the disciples comes to us this day. Just as Christ came to the disciples saying, “Peace be with you.” He comes to us this day saying, “peace be with you.” He comes to us in His Word. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Blessed Easter

2011-04-26T06:22:00.001-07:00

Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion

2011-04-21T06:28:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to the continued discussion on Lutheran Music found on the Intrepid Lutheran blog site:

Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion

Blessed Holy Week

2011-04-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion

2011-04-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a wonderful link to the Intrepid Lutherans blog discussing the rich treasures of historic Lutheran music:

Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

2011-04-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Crucifix

2011-04-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Evangelical Lutheran Church believes, teaches, and confesses that the same LORD who gave the promise to Abraham and redeemed the people of Israel from Egypt is the same LORD who has brought redemption to all mankind. For this reason, the church confesses the words of Isaiah declaring, "Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4, ESV) In this way, it is most fitting for our congregation to be named Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. We believe that Jesus Christ alone is our Redeemer. By His death on the cross He has redeemed us from the power of sin, death, and the devil. As those who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation we are the redeemed.

The theological art that is utilized in our sanctuary depicts the person and work of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Over our altar we have placed a crucifix in order to reinforce our conviction that Jesus has redeemed us by His death on the cross. St. Paul writes, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14, ESV) Christ has redeemed us with His precious blood and with His innocent suffer and death. The redemption of all humanity is accomplished in the crucifixion of Christ. St. Paul also says, "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV) For this reason, the crucifix is located as the focal point of our sanctuary.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

LCMS President, Asia Regional Director Give Update on Japan

2011-04-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

Jesus says, "Come to Me"

2011-03-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

Jesus says, "Come to Me."

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

St. Matthew 11:28-30

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

We gather to hear the words of Jesus. Jesus says, ^“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

We can easily understand the difference between labor and rest. We can relate to something being a burden or something being easy. Now these are some thoughts that we can associate with. You know what it feels like to work hard and then to be able to stop and take a break. You know what it feels like to carry a heavy weight and then to set it down. If you’ve ever traveled from one place to another, then you know the feeling. Whether it’s going from your house to the airport or from the airport to the hotel, you know the feeling. The weight of all those suitcases is tiring. You have one bag hanging from a shoulder strap, one bag in your hand, and with your other hand you’re pulling along two more bags. You know the feeling. You know how burdensome it is.

But you also know the feeling of the rest that comes when you are finished. After you drop off all those suitcases at the check-in desk at the airport, then you can freely move about the terminal. Your shoulders begin to float. You can breathe easy and take a seat. What a relief!

However, once you’re off the plane, they load you back up with all your bags. Again, you are heavy burdened with all that baggage. We can understand the feeling of labor and rest. When weighed down we desire that the load would be made light and easy.

Now of course this is an earthly reality, but we didn’t gather here tonight to hear about traveling tips for making your load easier. We have gathered here to listen to Jesus who says, ^“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

The burdens in our lives are far heavier than a load of suitcases. As we live in this world as pilgrims, we are constantly weighed down with doubt, despair, anxiety, illness, death, and the worries of life. We wonder where God is in the midst of all the chaos.

We are burdened with our own sins against God and each other. When we take God’s law seriously and recognize how much we sin daily, we are troubled with our imperfections and impurities. Our hearts accuse us before God and we cannot bear the punishment. If we were honest with ourselves, we would be unable to look at God face to face. Our guilt causes us to look the other way.

Yet, in the season of Lent, we are not called to set our eyes on ourselves, nor are we called to look away from God. Instead, we are taught to set our eyes on Jesus. We are learning to come to Jesus and in Him find rest. Not a mere temporal physical rest, but an eternal spiritual rest. Jesus promises rest for our souls.

Jesus is gentle with us and not harsh. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save. Jesus did not come to judge, but to pardon. Jesus came to bear our burden. Jesus came to take our yoke upon His shoulders. In exchange, He gives us His yoke that is light. Jesus is not like the airport that takes our baggage for a while and then returns it. Jesus doesn’t charge us a standard few for carrying our load. He doesn’t expect a tip. He helps us freely without price.

In Lent, we learn to view Jesus as the Lamb of God who bears the sin of the world. In Lent we learn to trust in His words of promise. We learn to look to Him and listen. The Father says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 (ESV) The Holy Spirit says, ^“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:26 (ESV) The Son says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (ESV) The Lord bless you, the Lord give you rest, and the Lord grant you peace in the midst of this life and peace at the last. Amen.

Summer Workshop on the Psalms

2011-03-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

Summer Workshop

Continuing education workshops offered by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, provide an opportunity for exploration of contemporary topics that influence the practice of ministry. They are designed for pastors, church workers and laypersons. Unless otherwise noted, all workshops begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday and conclude on Wednesday at 12:00 noon. The cost for the summer workshop is $135.

NEW MEXICO—August 22-24, 2011

Immanuel Lutheran Church

209 E. Barcelona Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Dr. Reed Lessing, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology

Concordia Seminary

St. Louis, Missouri

Psalms

In the Greek New Testament (USB, 4th edition), the “Index of Quotations” lists more than 400 quotations from the book of Psalms. Of course this list includes phrases as well as complete verses. Yet, by any standard, the Psalter has impacted the New Testament in a profound way. Moreover the likes of Augustine,Ambrose, and Luther strongly encouraged people to spend significant daily time in the Psalms. Ambrose even went as far as to refer to the books “a gymnasium for the soul,” where the believer exercises every day! For those who treasure, love and pray the psalms, “Psalms” will offer an in-depth study of several psalms like 1, 2, 19, 23, 46, 73, and 110. Participants will also learn how to read the Psalter in its Old Testament context as well as in its multiple New Testament fulfillments in Jesus.

Registration deadline: August 1, 2011

Host: Rev. Douglas Escue, 505-983-7568; dkescue@aol.com

Learn From Jesus How to Pray

2011-03-29T10:07:00.001-07:00

Learn From Jesus How to Pray

In prayer we look to God as our Creator. We admit that we are creatures in need. As soon as we feel no need to pray we declare that we have no need for God. Throughout our lives we will constantly be in need of Him. In prayer, we put to death our own will, and ask God’s will to be done in us, to us, and through us.

During this season of Lent, we take our eyes off of ourselves and we set them on Jesus. We sing, “Go to dark Gethsemane, all who feel the tempter’s power; your Redeemer’s conflict see, watch with Him one bitter hour; turn not from His griefs away; learn from Jesus Christ to pray” (Lutheran Service Book #436). Jesus asked his Father in Heaven to help Him in His time of need saying, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” He desired that the will of the Father would be done in Him, to Him, and through Him. His will was that Jesus would drink from the cup of wrath that we deserve because of our transgressions.

In prayer we look to God as our Redeemer. We trust in His promise that because Christ drank our cup we are the redeemed. Because of the new man in us we can joyfully say with Jesus, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Yet, as long as we live on earth, and because of the old man in us, we ask, “Forgive us our trespasses” knowing that it is His will to forgive.

Dr. Masaki: Continue to Pray for Japan

2011-03-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Blessed Lent from President Harrison

2011-03-22T13:30:00.001-07:00

Blessed Lent from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Lutherans In Japan

2011-03-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

March 13, 2011 Dedication of New Sanctuary

2011-03-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

Sermon: Salt and Light

2011-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

5th Sunday after the Epiphany, 2011
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

St. Matthew 5:13-16

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

In today’s gospel text from Matthew chapter five, Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works…” (Matthew 5:16, ESV) In chapter six Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…” (Matthew 6:1, ESV) In addition to these two passages, Jesus ends today’s gospel text with these words, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20, ESV)

In one passage we are told to do good so that others can see and in the next passage we are warned about doing righteousness so that others can see. At the same time, Jesus requires that our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees who devoted themselves to being righteous. How are we to take these words of Jesus? Should we be diligent about making our righteousness known? Should we stop doing good works so that nobody can see them?

As those who belong to Christ, we are to shine so that others may see His light. Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, ESV) We don’t let our light shine so that God can see it; rather, we let our light shine so that others, who dwell in darkness, can see it. The whole purpose behind others seeing our light is so that they give praise to God.

To reemphasize this truth Jesus goes on to say in Matthew chapter six, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1, ESV) The purpose of making our light shine is not to be seen in and of itself. Our goal is not to be praised. Rather, it is a means to the end. The goal is that God is praised.

At the end of today’s Super Bowl, there will be one man on the winning team that will be awarded the Most Valuable Player award. Now he won’t say that he out performed his teammates so that he could be the MVP. See even the losing team will have a player who out shines the rest of the team, but he cannot be the Super Bowl MVP. The MVP will not play his best so that others will tell him how good he is; instead, he will play his best so that his team can win. Football is not an individual sport.

In a similar way, we do not let our light shines so that at the end of the year we can win the MVL award, that is, the most valuable light. The goal and motivation of our shining like stars is so that others will praise God from whom all blessings flow. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights.

We do not do good things to be praised by others; rather, we do good things so that God would be praised by others. We do not pray so that others can call upon us as a prayer warrior. We do not give alms so that others would be impressed with our generosity. We do not fast so that others can admire our zeal. We do not love others so that others will love us.

Because we still dwell on the earth which is darkened by sin, the LORD warns us about doing good. It is so easy to start off on the right foot doing our good works so that others will see them with the purpose of God being praised and then later slip into doing our righteousness so that others praise us. Just think about that last time that you did something that went unrecognized. Oh, how quick the human ego wonders why nobody noticed.

In our heart of hearts we like to be praised. We like to be told how good we are. Jesus warns us so that we keep our motives in check. We are to beware of falling into pride and arrogance. We are to assess our actions. Are we doing this for our own glory or for God’s glory? Are we bringing dishonor to the name of our Redeemer? We do not do good so that God can see how good we are. We do not do good so that others can see how good we are. We do good so that others can see the goodness of God.

The LORD our God requires us to be good, holy, and righteous. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” It is common practice to have a salt shaker in the kitchen and or on the dinning room table. It is used for bland food. Now if the salt lost its saltiness, what good would it do to pour on table spoon after table spoon onto your plate? It would do no good at all. There would be no point in using that salt on your food or keeping it in your kitchen. It would be thrown out.

In the same way, what good would a church be on earth if it has lost its saltiness? What good would it be for us to build a new building in this community if we do not salt the community? What good would it do this community if we built this new building and never opened the doors or even bothered to turn on the lights? Even worse what good would it be for this community if other saw our bad works? Would this result in giving glory to God?

Keep in mind that our new building is in plain sight on Diamond drive. Jesus says, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV) If you have ever driven home from Santa Fe at night, no doubt you have noticed the lights of Los Alamos a city on the hill. On the higher ground, Los Alamos can be seen from the valley. It shines bright in the darkness. If you have ever experienced a power outage, no doubt you scoured around the house looking for a flashlight or a candle. Once you found the emergency source of light, I would image that you set it out in the open to light up the darkness. No one would light a flashlight and put it under a basket. Our works will be seen by others.

Jesus teaches us, His disciples, that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven. When we are honest with ourselves, we realize that we are not the brightest bulbs in the box and we are not the tastiest salt. The law of God shows us how bad we are. The problem is that by nature we are unrighteous, unholy, and evil. It is impossible for our own righteousness to exceed the scribes and Pharisees and to gain us access into the kingdom of heaven. The Law of God teaches us this reality.

Then Jesus teaches us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5, ESV) Through holy baptism, we are united with Christ and are blessed in Him. We have an alien righteousness. We have Christ’s righteousness which exceeds the scribes and the Pharisees. It comes from Christ works and not our own. In Christ, we are holy and good. The gospel tells us how good we are in God’s sight for the sake of Christ’s goodness. As Paul says, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Today’s gospel text flows right out of the beatitudes in which we are taught that in Christ we are blessed. Thus, Jesus says,“You are the salt of the earth” and again“You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14, ESV) Now of course these words were originally spoken to the twelve disciples. They were the salt of the earth and the light of the world. If they had not salted the earth and lit up the world, there would be no disciples in our day. They were sent out to all nations to make disciples by baptizing and teaching. We continue as disciples in our day. In our day we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The LORD sent His Apostles out to bring the light to those who dwelt in darkness. The church remains the city on a hill as a beacon in the night.

Take note that Jesus declared them to be the salt and the light. This was not achieved, merited, or earned. They did not make themselves salt and light. As salt they salted the earth. As light they lit up the world. As we have been baptized and connected to Christ we continue to shine as lights in the midst of the darkness of the world. We have been made good in Christ and therefore we do good things. These good things will be seen by others. We may not be flood lights. We are small dim night lights. We may not be large pieces of rock salt. We are a pinch of table salt. But in Christ we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

On this day, we gather around Christ who is the source of all light. He is the Light. The light of Christ shines in our darkened hearts and glows in our lives. We gather around the Lord’s Table to be salted by Him. We eat at His table for the forgiveness of our sins. We have the righteousness of Christ by faith. In Christ we are salt and light. Amen.

President Harrison on Life Ministry

2011-02-03T08:39:00.001-08:00

Life Ministry from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Adding Color to the Stucco

2011-01-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

The LEGO Mosaic of Luther's Seal

2011-01-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

Sermon: Behold the Lamb of God

2011-01-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Sermon: Behold the Lamb of God

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

John 1:29-42a

In the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.

Back in the season of Advent, we heard about John the Baptizer preparing the way for the Lord. Now in the season of Epiphany, John reveals to us Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In our Gospel text we hear John tell us, “I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:31 ESV) John’s purpose was to reveal Jesus to the people of Israel. God had given John the sign that the Spirit would descend upon Jesus as a dove. The dove would visibly mark Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. John was an eye witness of this event. He prepares the way and then he reveals Jesus as the only way to the Father. John reveals that Jesus not only takes away the sin of Israel, He takes away the sin of the world. Thus, the Lord sent the church out into the world to make this promise known.

In this season of the church year, we focus our attention on what God reveals, makes known, manifests, and brings to light about Jesus. It is revealed that Jesus was born for the Jews and the Gentiles. It is made manifest that He is the Son of God. It was made known that He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The Holy Spirit enlightens us, opening our eyes to rightly see Jesus. It is not a secret that we are to keep from others. No, the Gospel is meant to be shared and made known with others. We are not supposed to hide the Gospel light under a bushel. No, we are to let it shine. The Gospel is a revealed message, not one we should conceal and keep to ourselves. As God has revealed our Savior to us, we then reveal Jesus to others. First we make known the need for a Savior, because of our sin. Then we make known the Savior who takes our sin away.

In our text, we hear John speaking to us from the office that God gave him. He was the key figure whom God used to prepare the way and then to make known the Way. John pointed out sin, in order to point out the Savior. John was a Law/Gospel preacher. He comes down hard with the Law in order to bring the full comfort of the Gospel. The Law reveals sin. It is as if John were to preach, “Behold, your sin.” He brings it to light and puts it in front of the peoples’ eyes. But his purpose is not to leave them dead in their sins. Rather, like all Law/Gospel preachers, his purpose is to restore the hearers to life in Jesus. After delivering the bad news, he follows up with the Good News. He reveals the Savior of the World. He says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) He sets Jesus before the eyes of the people.

The image of the lamb should bring to mind the sacrificial lamb of the Old Testament. Specifically, we should recall the Passover Lamb. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, they ate the paschal lamb the night of the Passover. On that night, they took the blood from the lamb and put it on their doorposts and lintels to mark them as believers and they took and ate the lamb. Then the LORD passed over them and their first born sons were spared. After leaving Egypt, they continued to celebrate the Passover meal to remind them of the deliverance that the LORD had brought that night. Then later in the days of the Tabernacle and then the Temple, a lamb was offered on the altar in the morning and a lamb was offered in the evening. Thus, the people of God would begin the day with the morning sacrifice and close the day with the evening sacrifice. The death and blood of these lambs pointed to the True Lamb whose blood would be shed to make us people of God.

Jesus is the True Lamb. He gave up His life as an atoning sacrifice to appease God’s wrath over our sin. Jesus was not just any lamb. Rather, He is the Lamb of God. In particular, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He takes upon Himself all the sin of the entire world. Only He could bear this much weight.

Isaiah 53:6 words it this way, “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (ESV) The second letter to the saints in Corinth puts it this way, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV) In His body, Jesus took upon our sin, so that in our bodies we would be covered by his purity. Jesus is the one who bears the weight of all sin. It is as if sin was piled and piled and piled and piled upon the shoulders of Jesus. Sometimes you’ll see this depicted in a picture or statue in which Jesus hangs on a cross that bows down. It’s as if the weight of the world’s sin bears down upon Him bowing the wood of the cross.

Thus in life here on earth, there are only two possible places that your sins can be located. Either you carry the weight of your own sins or Jesus bears the weight for you. Either you try to make up for all your wrong by doing good things as if to tip the scale in your favor or you trust in the work of Jesus who alone appeases the Father’s wrath in your place on the cross. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He takes the weight away. So the question we must ask ourselves once again is this, “Where are your sins?” The promise of the Gospel is that your sins are on Jesus. He is the sin bearer. He bears the sin of the world, meaning that all the sins of all people of all time. Faith clings to this promise. Unbelief rejects this promise and retains the sin and the punishment for sin which is death and separation from God.

We gather again today to be reminded that our sins are located on Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We come to have our need revealed to us once again and also to have our Savior made known to us once again. Because of our depraved hearts we continue to pile the weight of our sins upon us and forget that our sin is on Him. The Gospel promise locates your sin on Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but in our house we continue to have a problem locating the phone. I pick up the phone, talk to someone, then set it down. Then later I can’t recall where that phone got placed. Is it in the living room, in the kitchen, or somewhere else? This was never a problem back in the days before the cordless phone. The phone was always connected to the cord. I must not be the only one who misplaces the phone. The reason I say this is that on the base of the phone there is a location button with the word “Find” imprinted on it. With one simple touch, I can page my own phone. Once it starts beeping, I can track that phone down in no time. That beeper, sends out a message into my ears, declaring, “Behold, your phone! Behold, your phone is over there!”

In like manner, today, as your pastor, I sound off the beeper and help you realize where your sins are located. I stand before this altar to declare to you, “Behold, your sin.” And then I point to you to Jesus and say, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 ESV) “Behold, your sin is on Jesus. It’s over there.”

We continuously need to be reminded of this precious Gospel message. Thus, in the liturgy we declare the praise of the Lamb of God in two places. We first reveal our sin to God acknowledging that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed. Then I declare to you, “Behold, God has had mercy on you and has given His only Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all of your sin.” I reveal to you that your sin has been concealed in Christ. We approach God knowing this and we sing “This is the Feast” in which we rejoiced by saying, “Worthy is Christ the Lamb who was slain”

Then after the words of Institution, we sing, the Agnus Dei which is Latin for Lamb of God. We sing, “O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.” Then from this altar I give to you bread and declare, “Behold, the body of Christ given for you.” Then from this altar I give to you wine and declare, “Behold, the blood of Christ shed for you for the forgiveness of your sin.”

This message is the chief article of the Christian Faith. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus takes the sin of the world away. He bears the sin of the world. Your sin belongs to Jesus. In the place of sin, He gives you His own righteousness. He covers you in His holiness. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 ESV) Imprint these words upon your hearts and feast on them. Amen.

Adding Color to the New Sanctuary

2011-01-24T06:46:00.000-08:00

The Father's Voice

2011-01-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

The Father's Voice

During the season of Epiphany, we celebrate the Good News that Jesus of Nazareth is not only the Savior of the Jews (the message of the angel to the shepherds at Christmas), but He is also the Savior of the Nations. This season begins on January 6, the Day of Epiphany. On this day we rejoice that the Gentile magi from the east came to see the Infant King. In Epiphany, we hear the words from the Holy Bible that proclaim to us how God was made manifest in Jesus Christ. Jesus is both truly man born of the Virgin Mary and also at the same time truly God begotten of the Father from all eternity. He has been sent from the Father. Throughout the Sundays after the Epiphany, our Gospel Readings focus on the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God.

The theme for the First Sunday after the Epiphany is the Baptism of our Lord Jesus in the Jordan River. The appointed Gospel text for this First Sunday speaks to us with the voice from the Father declaring to Jesus, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11 NKJV) With these words we are assured that Jesus truly is the unique Son of God in whom there is neither sin nor any displeasure. This event in the incarnate life of Jesus marks the beginning of the His public ministry in which He proclaims the Kingdom of God with His words and with His miraculous actions verifying that He has been sent by the Father to win for us the Kingdom.

On the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, the theme of the day is tied to the transfiguration in which the Apostles Peter, James, and John saw the revealed glory of Jesus as He talks with Elijah and Moses. Again the Father's voice is spoken to us when He declares, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Mark 9:7 NKJV).

As the voice of the Father directs us to Jesus, we as sheep listen to the voice of our Good Shepherd who declares to us, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24 NKJV).

Stucco Scratch Coat

2011-01-19T10:05:00.000-08:00

Epiphany Blessings from LCMS President Matthew Harrison

2011-01-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

Blessed Epiphany and New Year from President Harrison from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Altar at Christmas

2011-01-06T08:19:00.001-08:00

Sermon: Biblical Hope

2011-01-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

2^nd Sunday in Advent, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Romans 15:4-13

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

It’s that time of year again in which every day vocabulary is expanded to include the word “hope.” The word will be seen on decorations, greeting cards, and headlines. During last month’s season of elections, once again there was the buzz of hope for the future. During this season of gift purchasing, the economists hope that there is a lot of spending for the sake of the economy. During this season of college and professional football, fans are hoping that their favorite team will be number one. During this season of winter, skiers hope that we will have some snow. And of course we hope to be in our new building by the end of January.

To hope is to trust in something that is not seen at the current time. There is much to do about the audacity of hope lately. However, the typical hope is far different than the biblical hope. The previous elections may not see the dramatic changes that are hoped for. Your favorite football team may not be number one as hoped. Their may not be enough snow anytime soon for great skiing. And of course, we may not be in our new building by the end of January. Theses are all hopeful things that are by no means guaranteed.

During the season of Advent, we put our hope in Christ which was confirmed in His first advent and promised in His second advent. In today’s epistle lesson the word hope is used four times in ten verses. The Father is called the God of hope. He is the source of all hope. The Son is the Only One in whom both Jews and Gentiles can place their hope. He brings hope to all nations. The Holy Spirit gives to us the gift of abundant hope. Through the written word, He works hope in our hearts in the midst of afflictions.

In today’s epistle lesson, the Holy Spirit teaches that "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, ESV) Did you catch that? The scriptures are given to us so that we might have hope. Biblical hope is far different than typical hope in which you might have what you hoped for. The Bible is gifted to us so that we might have hope. This hope is tied to the promises of God.

See, the Jews were entrusted with the written scriptures in which the promises of God were found. These promises are all grounded in the hope of the coming Messiah. Without the scriptures, the Gentiles did not have the promises and thus they had no hope. They had no hope in the life to come. They had no hope in the coming Messiah. However, the written scriptures themselves testified to the reality that even the Gentiles would put their hope in Christ. Jesus is the Savior of the nations. When the Messiah was born of the Virgin Mary and became a servant to the point of death on the cross, the promises to the patriarchs were confirmed. The fact that not all Jews believe on the Messiah and that the knowledge of salvation was taken to the Gentiles was in accordance with the written word.

In today’s epistle, the Apostle Paul writes, “As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” (Romans 15:9-12, ESV)

The written scriptures testified before hand that God’s own people would reject Him as their God and that those who were not His people would become His people and He would be their God. Everything had turned upside down. The Jews had lost their hope in the Messiah. They put their hope in their own imaginations. Just as the Gentiles were without hope when they didn’t have the written word, the Jews are without hope while they don’t have the incarnate word.

Thus, as the people of God, we are warned not to lose the written scriptures and thus lose hope. By nature we are sinful and unclean. We were born without hope. Our hope is not in this life, but in the life to come. Don’t put your trust in princes or presidents they will not measure up to what we hope for. Don’t put your trust in men, whether they are football players, meteorologist, or even builders. They will end up disappointing. Rather, put your trust in Jesus who is our hope. He will never disappoint.

The Christmas message is peace on earth meaning that God and sinner have been reconciled. This is not peace like the world gives. It is the peace that comes from, in, and, with God. Being justified through faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:1). This promise is not seen now, but it will be seen in the life to come. Now we walk by faith and then we will walk by sight. Now we trust in the promise having hope in what we cannot see. We wait for the full reality with patience.

In a similar fashion, the children are trained to wait patiently for Christmas day as we count down the four Sundays in Advent. We may begin to see Christmas decorations and even presents under the tree, but they can’t see the presents inside those package. That will not be revealed until Christmas.

At the first Christmas, the King of Kings was wrapped in swaddling cloths. The Son was given by the Father as a gift to the world. This gift was unwrapped on the cross. Now this is the audacity of hope namely a crucified King counted as unwanted and cut off from the land of the living. This hope is completely contrary to typical hope. Yet, biblical hope declares that the cross is the means through which the kingdom of God comes. After three days, the King rises to reign over the earth. As the scripture confirms the first advent in the birth, death, and resurrection of the Christ, it affirms the second advent of the return of the King.

Christ considered it all joy to suffer and be afflicted for us. Through His passion, we are given joy beyond all comprehension. And now His joy is given to us in the midst of our afflictions so that we may abound in hope. God is the God of hope. God is the God of endurance and encouragement. Through the testing of these afflictions, we are given the promises of God’s word to give to us endurance and encouragement. Through His word, the Holy Spirit works an abundance of joy.

We are called to be diligent to study the scriptures which were written for us so that we might have hope. Our hope is in Christ. Paul closes today’s epistle lesson with these words, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13, ESV) Here we have all three of those Christmas words namely, hope, peace, and joy. Again, these biblical words are not the same as typical words. These words find their source, their fulfillment, and their power from the Blessed Holy Trinity. Amen.

Here Comes the Drywall

2010-12-23T21:17:00.000-08:00

Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church

2010-12-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

From the LCMS web site
http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=18135

CTCR approves fellowship with Siberian church

By Roland Lovstad

Recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC) and a document on theological criteria for assessing cooperative endeavors among other Christians and church bodies were approved by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) during its Dec. 16-18 meeting in St. Louis.

Following the CTCR action on Dec. 17, LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, having previously consulted with the LCMS Praesidium (vice-presidents), declared recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the SELC.

The procedure for declaring fellowship with small, formative or emerging church bodies was adopted last July by the LCMS convention in its Resolution 3-04A, which established a new Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2c. Under the bylaw, when such a church body requests altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS, the president may declare such fellowship after approval by the CTCR and consultation with the vice-presidents. In accordance with the bylaw, the recognition of fellowship will be brought to the next LCMS convention for its endorsement.

The SELC counts 2,000 members, served by approximately 20 pastors in 22 parishes and preaching stations spread over a 5,000-square-mile area. The church body first requested fellowship discussions some 12 years ago. While discussions have been ongoing, the SELC expressed renewed hopes for moving forward following Harrison's election last July. In late October, the president sent a delegation to Novosibirsk, Russia, for doctrinal discussions with the SELC.
Representing the LCMS at the discussions were Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, CTCR executive director; Dr. Albert B. Collver III, the Synod's director of Church Relations -- assistant to the president; and Dr. Timothy Quill, dean of international studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

"As it was my first visit to Siberia, it was very much a learning experience," said Lehenbauer. "But I was very impressed by the theological and missional zeal of the SELC pastors, leaders and members, and I believe that both the LCMS and the SELC will benefit from and be blessed by formalization of church fellowship."
In the "Witness, Mercy, Life Together" blog from the president's office (http://www.wmltblog.org/), Harrison said, "We give thanks to the Lord that after much patience and long-suffering on the part of the Siberian Lutherans, the Missouri Synod can now recognize the gift of fellowship that the Lord has worked between the LCMS and the SELC."

The blog also quoted SELC Bishop Vsevolod Lytkin as saying, "From our point of view, we are in fellowship with the LCMS."

The CTCR document, "Principles for Cooperation in Externals," follows the 2010 convention Resolution 3-03, which called on the CTCR, "in consultation with the Praesidium and other entities and individuals as needed, [to] develop more in-depth theological criteria for assessing cooperative endeavors, determining what would necessitate termination of such cooperative endeavors."

The convention resolution also resolved that the Praesidium, in consultation with the CTCR, provide an assessment of the current state of cooperation in externals and a full report of criteria for ongoing assessment by July 31, 2011. The convention resolution grew out of concerns about cooperative work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, especially following its 2009 assembly action on homosexuality.
The document was drafted by CTCR staff and approved unanimously by the commission for sharing with the Praesidium.

"The adoption of this document is significant and reflects the desire and readiness of the commission to tackle this and other challenging assignments in this new triennium," said Lehenbauer. "I'm pleased at the cooperative spirit of commission members and the way they came prepared for substantive discussion and action."

This was the first working meeting of the commission since the convention. Nine of the 16 voting members are newly elected or appointed. The president and first vice president, also newly elected, serve as advisory members.

Lehenbauer said the commission also "did a lot of work" in its three subcommittees. Among the commission projects are:

continued drafting of a document on immigration, which flows out of the 2007 convention. The CTCR has received a block grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for a consultation -- tentatively scheduled for next fall -- involving individuals with expertise in various fields such as economics, education, law, government, law enforcement and advocacy.
planning for regional conferences to equip congregational leaders in thinking through the issue of caring for God's creation, both theologically and practically, as a follow-up on the recent report, "Together with all Creatures: Caring for God's Living Earth."
preparation of study resources for the 2017 celebration of the Lutheran Reformation.
continuation of assignments on inter-Christian relationships, the theology and practice of prayer, the priesthood of all believers, the natural knowledge of God and the relationship of men and women.

In plenary sessions, the commission discussed the restructuring process with Harrison and heard a report from Collver on his work as director of Church Relations. The commission spent an hour and a half with First Vice-President Herbert Mueller discussing his work on the Koinonia Project to build greater unity in the Synod.

Roland Lovstad is a freelance writer and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Perryville, Mo.
Posted Dec. 22, 2010

Snow Delay

2010-12-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

Message from LCMS President on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

2010-12-17T13:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In a surprising turn of events in the waning days of the current Congress, the effort to repeal the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has gained new momentum with the announcement today of support from Republican senators Scott Brown (Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Olympia Snowe (Maine). The repeal may be voted on in the Senate as early as tomorrow. For a number of reasons, we encourage you to let your elected leaders know that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a clear biblical position on this important issue.

In terms of our spirituality, we are all alike sinners (Rom. 3:9ff.) in need of repentance and forgiveness. For 2,000 years the church has welcomed sinners, but refused to affirm sin. The saving grace of Jesus Christ and His Gospel are for all people (2 Cor. 5:19), and the only thing that separates us from this forgiveness is a lack of repentance or sorrow over our sin. We believe the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy will sorely inhibit our military chaplains’ ability to call all sinners to repentance.

If the government normalizes homosexual behavior in our military branches—a behavior that we believe God’s Word identifies as intrinsically sinful (Rom. 1:26ff)—the implications are profound. Military chaplains striving to carry out their responsibilities for preaching, counseling, and consoling will find themselves under the strain of having to question whether to obey God or men (Acts 5:29).

Lastly, we express our concern as citizens that a move by the government to essentially affirm homosexual behavior within the armed forces will endanger the morale or esprit de corps—the unit cohesion and the primary mission of the military, namely, to prosecute and win the war—of the men and women who serve and willingly place themselves in harm’s way on our behalf.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we urge you to share this message today with your colleagues, congregational members, and any others whom you believe would benefit from it and be moved to contact their government representatives.

You may find the contacts for your senators and representatives here: http://www.senate.gov/ and http://www.house.gov/

For more information on this issue, see The Lutheran Study Bible, Page 1911, on Romans 1.

God bless you.

Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, President

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Dr. Mark J. Schreiber,

CAPT, CHC, USN, (Ret.)

Director, LCMS World Mission’s Ministry to the Armed Forces

Contemporary Worship in the Old Testament Scriptures

2010-12-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was interviewed by Rev. Todd Wilken on Issues, Etc.

Click on the link below for the audio file

http://issuesetc.org/2010/12/15/9715/

Sermon: Dressing for Action

2010-12-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

First Sunday in Advent, 2010

Romans 13:11-14

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today marks the first Sunday in Advent and the beginning of the new church year. Once again, we reassess where we stand before God and where we are going. Our goal and destination is heaven. Thus, we ought to be on the move. Either we are walking toward this goal or walking away from it. Now is not the time to doze off. We are to remain awake recognizing that there is not much time left. As our epistle lesson puts it, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11, ESV) We have come a whole year closer to our end goal. We have come a week closer since the last time that we met together in this space. In fact, we have come about 30 minutes closer to our final salvation since we first arrived here on this day.

In the season of Advent, we wait for Christmas Day. Each Sunday, we light another candle to help in the count down process. There are four candles for the four Sundays in Advent and one candle for Christmas. Now we can understand what it means to wait in anticipation for our goal. In fact, we are waiting for the new building to be complete at the end of January. The actual building is nearer to us now than when we first conceived the idea of having our own building. For this reason, we are making plans and getting ready. We’ll have a building meeting tomorrow night. We’ll have a voters meeting on next Sunday. Over the next course of weeks we’ll see more and more changes in the appearance of the building. Eventually, we’ll move the furniture. Then we’ll move in to our new location. We are excited and we just can’t wait. Now is not the time to forget about the building and fall asleep on the job.

How much more then should we anticipate and get ready for the salvation of our souls and the resurrection of our bodies? We long to see the fullness of the kingdom of God. Our epistle lesson for today opens with these words, "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, ESV) Earlier in chapter thirteen, St. Paul had addressed the second half of the Ten Commandments in which we are called to serve our neighbor in love.

He opened the chapter by explaining that all governments come from God and therefore we are to willingly put ourselves under man-made forms of government. Our service to the government officials flows from our service to honor our father and mother as given to us in the fourth commandment. Rebelling against God’s order is rebelling against God. Of course this biblical understanding of service to government goes against our American concept of the right to rebel even in small things like the use of a radar detector. Paul goes on to list the rest of the commandments. We are not to murder, commit adultery, steal, or covet. Of course such a life of service goes against our ingrained sinful desire to serve ourselves. We are in need of divine instruction.

We are learning to ask ourselves these diagnostic questions, “How does this action serve our neighbor in love? Are we serving ourselves our own desires or are we serving the needs of others?”

In chapter thirteen Paul continues to teach us after addressing the Ten Commandments. He writes, "Owe no one anything, except to love each other…” …and… “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:8,10, ESV) In this way we serve our neighbor in love. For this reason, Paul says that the law is fulfilled in love. Now we know that love does not justify. Our love for others does not make us right in God’s sight. Rather, we have been justified by faith alone on account of Christ alone. We have been pardoned and made to be servants of God who serve God and others. Christ served us by dying for us. Apart from Christ we are self-serving. In Christ we are learning to be of servants of all. This is a process that we are beginning to understand. Thus, we look for opportunities to serve others.

Now as the people of God, we already know that we are to serve one another in love. So Paul adds on top of this by saying, “Besides this you know the time… …for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11, ESV) Since we know that the days are short, how much more should we make the best use of the time that we have to serve one another in love? If you knew that there were only a few days or hours left in someone’s life, how different your attitude and interactions would be toward that individual? Thus, we assess ourselves and ask the question, “How does this action serve our neighbor in love? Are we serving ourselves our own desires or are we serving the needs of others?”

St. Paul writes in today’s text saying, “…the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.”(Romans 13:11, ESV) Again, we can follow the simple imagery that the Holy Spirit uses. Just like each morning when our alarm clock goes off we know what hour it is. It is time to wake up and face the day. Each day is a new beginning in which we rise to serve the Lord. Now, when we first get out of bed, we are a little groggy. Sometimes it may take us a snooze button or two. We may need a cup of coffee or two. We’ll surely need some nourishment to start the day right. But eventually we are up and ready to go. Each morning we realize that we have things to do from a horizontal perspective.

Yet as disciples of Christ, we also see things from a vertical perspective. We know that as we serve others in our vocations and stations in life, we are serving the Lord. Realizing that we are nearer to our salvation than when we first believed, how much more should be ready to serve the Lord each morning? Realizing that we need to sustain our bodies with physical food, how much more should we nourish our souls with spiritual food? Why not start off each morning with God’s word and prayer?

St. Paul strengthens the image by stating, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12, ESV) Christ has delivered us from darkness and placed us into His kingdom of light. More than just waking up, we are to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Now this is no easy task. This is a struggle and a battle. Thus, we are to dress for warfare. We are called to dress for action. Again, we can easily understand the imagery here of being properly dressed.

Over Thanksgiving, we went target shooting at the ranch. We dressed for action. We wore our jackets because it was cold and we wore our ear protection because it was loud. However, we didn’t wear mittens, because mittens would have hindered our ability to pull the trigger. If we had put mittens on, we would have quickly taken them off in order to shoot at our targets.

In a similar way, we are called to dress for action spiritually for we are fighting a spiritual war. Therefore, we want to cast off anything that would hinder us in our battle. The Apostle lists such works of darkness as orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealousy. If we were to dress ourselves in works of darkness, we would be making provisions for the flesh and gratifying its desires. In essence, we would be fortifying the strength of our spiritual enemies.

Paul then switches gears to a different image stating, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime…” (Romans 13:13, ESV) As those who have been redeemed by Christ, we should not confess Him with our lips and then deny Him with our actions. As they say, “If you can talk the talk, then walk the walk.” You see, we are either walking toward our goal of salvation and eternal life or we are walking away from it. We are either walking by faith or by unbelief. We are either walking in the light as He is in the light or walking in the darkness as offspring of the devil. We are either walking in the Spirit or in the flesh. We are either walking in wisdom toward outsiders and making the best use of the time or we are walking in foolishness toward outsiders and wasting what little time we have. We are called to walk in love. We cannot do this in ourselves. It is God who is at work in us.

When I went target shooting over Thanksgiving, the pistol, the rifle, the bullets, and the ear protection were all provided. I don’t even own a gun. The weapons I needed for the task were given to me. The weapons we need for our spiritual task are given to us. Here the Apostle uses baptismal language about dressing and walking properly and concludes by saying, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 13:14, ESV) In his epistle to the Galatians, the Holy Spirit adds this promise to baptism declaring,"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27, ESV) Our sufficiency is not in ourselves. Our sufficiency is in Christ who took upon the form of a servant to serve us by the greatest act of love which was giving Himself for us unto death so that we might become sons of God and heirs of the kingdom. We are weak, but He is strong. While sin clings to our flesh, faith clings to Christ who was put to death in the flesh. We have been crucified with Christ and raised to newness of life. Amen.

Bird's Eye View

2010-12-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

Sermon: Remembering

2010-12-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday of the Church Year, 2010

Malachi 3:13-18

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

On this day, we celebrate the gift that God gives to all of us in Holy Baptism. Through this sacrament the LORD sanctifies us and purifies us by the washing of water with the word as St. Paul teaches us in Ephesians chapter five. St. Paul also states that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14, ESV) The LORD Jesus makes us His disciples by baptizing and teaching us. The LORD promises that the one who walks in His ways is blessed.

However, as we continue to walk in the Spirit, we must come to terms with the reality that at times the zeal for doing good works grows weak. As we move forward in our lives we become lazy and slack off. It doesn’t help that when we look around it appears as if the wicked are blessed and happy. They do not walk in the LORD’s way. They do not delight in the LORD’s instruction. They do not meditate upon God’s word day and night. But, they seem to have all the luck. They seem to get all the breaks. They seem to have an easier lot in life. In fact, those who do not fear God put God to the test and nothing happens to them. They openly defy God and there is no punishment. They challenge His power claiming that God is impotent and not omnipotent. They grumble and even seem to be rewarded.

People have been making such observations since the beginning of time. Even God’s own people have called in to question the validity of serving the LORD. In today’s Old Testament text from Malachi chapter three, the prophet takes up this issue. Through the mouth of the prophet Malachi, God teaches His own people not to speak harshly against Him and question His wisdom. In verses thirteen through fifteen, the LORD reveals the blasphemous thoughts of His people. Then the LORD teaches us to hear His word, meditate upon it, and cling to it in our hearts.

In verse sixteen of today’s text, we are taught how to take the harsh words of the LORD against us. Malachi writes, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.” (Malachi 3:16, ESV) When the LORD points out our impurities, we acknowledge them before Him.

Take note that the distinction is made between those who despise and dishonor the LORD’s name and those who stand in awe and fear of His name. The ones who take the LORD’s name in vain claim that they serve the LORD in vain. They refuse to listen to His word. The ones who take God’s word to heart are those who fear the LORD and esteem His name. They heard the LORD and they meditated upon His word.

Although the people of Israel took the name of the LORD their God in vain, the LORD declared in Malachi chapter one,"For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 1:11, ESV) After Jesus was resurrected, He sent out the Apostles to baptize all nations in the name of the LORD causing His name to be great among the nations. Those who have been baptized have been marked by their Maker.

Have you ever seen one of those big yellow bulldozers with the bold black letters C…A…T…on it? Now putting the word, “CAT” on a bulldozer does not make it a cat. Or even if you put the name “Caterpillar” on it does not make it a caterpillar it remains a yellow bulldozer. However, the name imprinted upon the metal marks it as one that was made by the Caterpillar tractor Company. It tags the vehicle with a unique identity and sets it apart from the rest.

On this day we have done far more than put the name of a tractor company upon Madison, oh no, we put the name of the Blessed Holy Trinity upon her. She is marked as one who belongs to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. She has been set apart from the rest. She has been given a unique identity as God’s treasured possession. In time, she will be taught to pray that the LORD’s name would be kept holy in her own life when she petitions the LORD saying, “Hallowed by Thy name.” Likewise, she will be taught to confess her own impurities. She will petition the LORD praying, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

As we remember the promises of the LORD given to us in our own baptism, we confess with the thief on the cross that we have deserved the death that Jesus died for us. We are impure. We join in one voice with the thief on the cross saying, “Jesus remember me, when You come into Your kingdom.” When the LORD remembers us, He remembers us according to His promises and not according to our sins.

The prophet Malachi uses the image of a book of remembrance in which the names of those who esteem the name of the LORD are written. In a similar way, St. John uses the image of the Lamb’s book of life in which the names of all the saints are recorded. These names are written in the LORD’s presence. He will not forget. The LORD assures us that for the sake of Christ we belong to Him.

In verse seventeen of today’s Old Testament text, Malachi writes,“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. (Malachi 4:17, ESV) Now at first, you may hear these words and think, “I thought that the Father did NOT spare His Son who served Him?” That is true. God did not spare His only begotten Son so that He would spare us. Jesus was declared an evildoer so that we would be declared perfectly obedient. Jesus was forsaken as one who did not serve God so that we would be adopted as sons and heirs of the kingdom. God turns everything upside down in order to purify us and make us His own treasured possession. In our baptism, we have the promise that we are sons of God. When we remember our baptism, we remember what the LORD has done for us. Amen.

Lift High the Cross

2010-12-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

Preparing for the Cross

2010-12-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

Sermon: The Sun of Righteousness

2010-12-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

25^th Sunday after Pentecost

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Malachi 4:1-6

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

After the return from Babylon, the Israelites rebuilt the Temple in the late 6^th century B.C. About one hundred years later, the prophet Malachi rebuked the negligence of the priests and promised the coming of the Messiah. Malachi is the last of the writing prophets. He foretells the ministry of John the Baptizer who will prepare the way for the Messiah. After the ministry of Malachi, the people of God waited four hundred years for a prophet of God.

Verses five and six of today’s Old Testament text states,“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 4:5-6, ESV) In our English Bibles, the book of Malachi closes the Old Testament books with the last words on the coming Messiah. Sequentially the next book is the Gospel According to St. Matthew which tells of the fulfillment of the words of Malachi and all of the prophets regarding the Christ.

In our day, we wait for the Second coming of the Messiah. As we come to the close of another church year, we look toward the close of the church age. On these last two Sundays, we focus on the End of Time and the Final Judgment. As we confess in the Creed, “Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.” With this in mind, note that our Old Testament text opens with these words,“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1-6 ESV) In typical fashion, the prophet Malachi calls us to repentance and to realize that the day of the Lord is coming. Christ has come and Christ will come again.

This day will be a day of judgment. In particular, all the arrogant and all the evildoers will be judged guilty. They will be like stubble in a burning oven. They will not stand. They will not have root or branch. They will be ashes. Thus, we are taught to repent from our sinful desires to do evil things and to be arrogant toward the Lord. As those who name the name of the Lord, we are called to depart from iniquity.

Like the prophets before him, Malachi points us back to books of Moses. He writes, “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.” (Malachi 4:4 ESV) The Torah of Moses was the instruction that God gave to us to teach us repentance and faith in the promises of the Messiah. In the days of Malachi, the priests had failed to do their duty. They failed to correctly teach God’s word in its purity. Therefore, the book of Malachi rebukes the priests.

In the Torah of Moses, we are instructed to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. The LORD instructs us as His people on what is prohibited and what is forbidden to us. Because of our corrupted nature, we are unholy and have an unhealthy desire for that which is prohibited and forbidden. In Deuteronomy chapter four, Moses writes, "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:24, ESV) This is bad news for the arrogant who think they know better than God and the evildoers who devote themselves to evil. Like a pine needle, they are quickly consumed in the presence of fire.

Likewise the five books of Moses instruct us in the promise of the coming Messiah who will make all things right. Christ came into the world to save sinners. The commandments show us our sin and the promises show us our Savior. Moses writes in Deuteronomy chapter nine, "Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the LORD your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the LORD has promised you." (Deuteronomy 9:3, ESV) The LORD in His infinite mercy established a covenant with His people promising to dwell in the midst of His unholy people making them holy in His presence. He then instituted the Divine Service at the tabernacle with Holy fire upon the altar. This is good news for the humble that hear the word of God and cling to it. For us who believe in the promises of God fulfilled in Jesus, God is a consuming fire who purifies us.

As St. Paul sums it up in Titus chapter two, Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14, ESV) So that we are not ruled by sin being arrogant and evildoers before God, we are instructed to set our eyes on the one who frees us from captivity and makes us pure. In verse two of today’s text, Malachi writes, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” (Malachi 4:3, ESV)

In today’s passage we are given two groups. Those who refuse to hear the word of God and those who hear the word of the LORD and rejoice in it. On the one hand, they will be consumed on that day… …but… …for you… on the other hand… …the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. They do not fear the name of the LORD and they shall be set ablaze left with no root or branch. But… …you who fear the name of the LORD… …shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Here the LORD makes the contrast between those who are ruled by sin and those who are given the kingdom of God. We have an assertion. The day is coming and it will be bad news for the arrogant and evil doers. Then we have the contrast starting with the word, “but.” The day of the LORD is coming and it will be good news for those who fear God because of Jesus.

By nature we cannot properly fear, love, or trust in God above all things. Thus, the Holy Spirit uses His word to instruct us. In Proverbs chapter one, we learn that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7, ESV) Later in Proverbs chapter two we are taught, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6, ESV) When we fear God, there is nothing else to be afraid of. As His holy people we are learning to be reverent in His presence. We are learning to put to death our irreverent and arrogant attitudes toward God. Malachi and all of the prophets teach us to trust in the LORD with all of our hearts and lean not on our own understanding.

In order to connect with us, He uses images of the rising sun, healing wings, and leaping calves. As darkness is overcome by light, we set our eyes on the horizon looking to Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness. As the sun shines in the day giving warmth and light to all creation, Jesus bestows His light and life upon us. He is the Light of the World. As the Sun of Righteousness, He shines forth His righteousness upon us. As the gospel is preached the sun rises in our own hearts.

As we believe the promises of Christ, we hide in the shelter of His wings. Like little chicks fleeing from a hawk, we seek refuge under the protection of His wings. He has compassion upon us like a mother hen. In addition, there is healing in His wings. In this life, we are being healed by Christ. We are being healed of our evil desires and arrogant attitudes. Through the power of the gospel, He is creating godly desires and humble attitudes in our hearts.

As sadness is replaced by joy, we leap like calves that have been released from the stalls and tread down all of our enemies under foot. I’ve never seen a calf leap out of a stall, but I can image the joy. When I was a child, I had a broken leg confined to a cast. I can remember the great joy that I had when that cast was removed. I was released and I could jump, run, and leap around. How much more, should we rejoice in the release that we have from the captivity of sin?

In today’s text as we follow the flow of the verses, we quickly move from joy to despair. The ending note of the book of Malachi ends with “utter destruction.” Understand that this phrase is like a cliff hanger. God’s will is not that the end will be utter destruction for us. The book of Malachi opened with the assertion of God’s love. “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?”" (Malachi 1:2, ESV) God’s love can be traced throughout the whole of the Bible. He shows us how He has loved us.

In Genesis chapter one, God shows His love through the act of creation. Even after the fall into sin, God shows His love in the promise of the seed born of the Virgin who would defeat the devil. Throughout the history of Israel, God showed His love through His mercy and faithfulness to the sons of Abraham. In the New Testament scriptures we are told that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) In Ephesians chapter five, St. Paul teaches us, ^“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2 ESV) Through Christ’s sacrifice we have access in one Spirit to the Father. God’s love is poured out from the cross. Amen.

Advent Blessing From LCMS President Matt Harrison

2010-12-02T07:49:00.001-08:00

Advent Blessing from President Harrison from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Blood of the Lamb

2010-12-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

All Saints Sunday, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Revelation 7:9-17

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

On this day, we are given a lesson in counting. Now as we look around, we can number those who are gathered here. We could easily count all the souls present. Yesterday, I was at a middle school and high school musical performance at Santa Fe High School gymnasium. There were quite a bit more people in that gathered space. Yet, I could still count them. I’ve been to a major league baseball stadium that seats over 30,000 people which is a much larger number, but still countable.

In today’s reading from Revelation, John writes saying, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” (Rev. 7:9, ESV) Just as God had promised Abraham, his descendants are more numerous than the stars in the heavens or the grains of sand on the seashore. These numbers include Jews and Gentiles. Because of our finite minds, we are not able to count all of the saints of God. On this day, we celebrate all the saints that have gone on before us and will continue after us. It is hard to even imagine all the saints. Yet, there is one man in the midst of all of humanity that grabs our attention. Jesus is at the center.

John goes on to state that this great multitude was “standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…” (Rev. 7:9, ESV) This great number of people were not gathered around a musical performance nor were they gathered around a baseball game. No, they were gathered before the throne and before the Lamb.

Now before we move on, let us understand the significance of the throne and the Lamb. In chapter four, John sees one sitting on the throne and then he sees the Lamb who is worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll. The One who is seated on the throne is God the Father and the Lamb is God the Son. After opening six of the seals, John sees the church militant moving onward marching as to war. Now John sees the church triumphant with palm branches in their hands. These saints are standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

As we continue are lesson in counting, I want you to count two main things from today’s text. First, we are taught about the distinction between the persons of the Holy Blessed Trinity. Second, we are taught about the difference between the believers in Christ and the unbelievers.

First, in the Bible we are instructed to confess one God and number three persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Here John teaches us about the distinction in persons of the Holy Trinity. The person of the Father is distinct from the person of the Son. Yet, the Father and the Son are one in divine essence. In this passage, the Father is referred to as God who sits on the throne and the Son is referred to as the Lamb who stands at the throne. The distinction is made between God, who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The emphasis is placed upon the person and work of the Son who took upon our flesh and blood in order to spill His blood to make atonement for our sins. Only the Son of God was incarnate sharing in our humanity. He is truly God begotten of the Father from eternity and also truly man born of the Virgin Mary in time. As true human, He has ascended into heaven and stands before God the Father so that we are able to stand before Father with Him.

Again, this passage is not taking away from the deity of Christ; rather, it is teaching the distinction in persons between the One who sits on the throne and the Lamb who had been slain to provide us access to the throne. His blood has ransomed people for God. In the last chapter of the book of Revelation, the throne is said to belong to God and to the Lamb equally. There we are taught that the Father and the Son are consubstantial, that is of the same divine essence.

Likewise, in today’s passage we are taught that the Father and the Son are given equal honor and praise. Those standing before the throne were crying out with a loud voice saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10, ESV) Both God and the Lamb are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. For this reason, we gather today with all of the saints around the presence of the Lamb at this altar and we sing the canticle “This is the Feast.” In the words of that canticle, we boldly sing that “Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.” As we gather here in time we join with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven and sing Holy, Holy, Holy to the Blessed Trinity.

Second, we learn about the difference between believers who are righteous in God’s sight and the unbelievers who are unrighteous in God’s sight. In John’s vision, he sees the righteous as a great multitude that no one could count. They were clothed in white robes. Now John relays to us that one of the elders addressed him and asked the question, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” (Rev. 7:13, ESV) To be clear, it is not as if this elder did not know the answer. He knew the answer. This is the method of catechesis in which we meditate upon God’s word and continue to ask the question, “What does this mean?”

In the same way, when Adam and Eve transgressed against God in the Garden, the LORD asked them, “Where are you?” It is not as if God did not know the answer. Rather, the LORD is teaching his people to ask the right question and to seek the right answer. Adam and Eve had sinned and felt their guilt and shame so that they could not stand in the presence of God. They were hiding from God trying to cover their sin. After being exposed and also recognizing this transgression, the LORD gave them the promise of the Messiah who would crush the serpent’s head making them able to stand in His presence.

Thus, in our text, John asks the elder to reveal to him the right answer. The elder responds, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God…” (Rev. 7:14, ESV) Here again we see the theological significance of the word “therefore.” Because their robes had been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, therefore they are able to stand before the throne.

Because we are human, there is a need to be washed and purified in order to stand before the holiness of God. Without the blood of Christ, we cannot stand. In Psalm 130, we are taught the right question and the right answer. "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, therefore You are feared." (Psalm 130:3-4, ESV) Because of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Father does not number our sins. His blood has set us free. We have been washed. Thus, God is not able to count our sins against us.

Now at the end of time there will be a division between the righteous and the unrighteous. The unbelievers will either attempt to stand before God based upon the number of the things they did right or by challenging the number of the things that they did wrong. However, the believers in Christ will stand based upon the number of things that Jesus did right.

In this life, we are learning to mark, number, and count our own sins so that we can confess them before God. Yet, Psalm 19 teaches us that we are not even able to number all of our sins. Verse twelve states, "Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults." (Psalm 19:12, ESV) Thus, we are learning to rest solely in the mercy of God for the sake of Christ.

For this reason, we are taught to count that there is one mediator between God and man. He is the Lamb and the Shepherd. He is the Priest and the Sacrifice. Our robes are made white in the blood of the Lamb. Now we gather here this day as the church militant. We partake in the Supper of the Lamb now and we are waiting for the consummation of the age in which we partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb then. From this altar He we receive the blood of the Lamb which makes us able to stand before the throne. It is the blood of the New Testament which is poured out for the forgiveness of all of our sins. In Christ, count yourselves redeemed and numbered with all of the saints. Amen.

Getting Ready for the Stucco

2010-11-26T10:04:00.000-08:00

Sermon: The God of Jacob is Our Fortress

2010-11-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Reformation Sunday, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Psalm 46

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

On this Sunday, we talk about truth and faith. It has become common place to talk about letting the truth set us free. But, one must ask, “What is that truth that sets us free?” Is it knowledge? What does it set us free from? Is it political oppression? It has also become common place to talk about faith. Back in the 1980’s, George Michael sang a song called “Faith.” The chorus rang out, “Cause I gotta have faith…faith…faith…” At face value, it would seem that we could sing along with George Michael. However, once we look at the lyrics we begin to realize that this song is about dating and having faith that someone else will show up for him. He is talking about faith in faith. The object of faith is faith itself. He is encouraging us just to have the substance of faith.

Sometimes even in the church, people talk the same generic language about truth and faith. They may try to encourage one another by saying, “Stand up for the truth” or “Keep the faith” or “Ya just gotta believe.” But the real questions are, What is the truth I’m standing up for? Faith in what? Believe what? People may even boast by boldly saying, “I’m a believer.” But again the question must be asked. What does it mean to be a believer?

On this Sunday, we rejoice in the truth and the faith that has been proclaimed clearly since the 16^th century Reformation. We do not set this day aside so that we Lutherans can thank God that we are Lutheran. This is not a German and Scandinavian Pride Day. We do not sing A Mighty Fortress because we think it has a catchy tune. We do not gather to boast in our faith in our own faith. No. We gather to learn and encourage one another in our faith in Jesus Christ who is the truth. We celebrate the Reformation in which the deformed teaching of the medieval church was reformed. The message that salvation was won by Jesus Christ on the cross and that salvation is freely delivered to us in the gospel and the sacraments. Once again the people of God were taught to have faith in the promises of God. Oh, yes we as Lutherans talk a lot about faith, but not faith in faith. We teach faith in the promises of God.

Let’s look at Psalm 46 of which the hymn A Mighty Fortress is based upon. It opens with these words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, ESV) In this Psalm, we see how the Lord teaches us this revealed truth. We would not and we could not know this from simple observation. It is a promise to be believed in. He is our God. He has created us and He has redeemed us.

Now it is easy for us to understand this imagery from an earthly perspective. If there is thunder and lightening outside, we can run inside to take refuge. If there is cold weather, rain, or snow in the outdoors we can run to the indoors to take refuge. Now earthly buildings give to us refuge from earthly calamities.

God is our refuge and strength from all spiritual calamities. In Him we take refuge from all our enemies. He is our strength against all of our enemies. Our enemies consist of the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh. While we continue to live in this life, we are constantly under attack from these enemies. The Lord assures us that He is our very present help in trouble. He is not a God far off who does not care about our struggle. No, He is a very present help in trouble.

From an earthly perspective we easily understand the idea of someone being a very present help in trouble. For instance, if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you’ll know how important a cell phone is in which you can call for help. You’ll also realize how significant a charged battery is and also how essential cell phone coverage truly is. These are all things that we take for granted on a daily basis. Yet, throughout all of life we have access to the Father through Christ by the Holy Spirit. There is not a place on God’s green earth that is out of his coverage. You won’t have to worry about charging your batteries either.

So after establishing this spiritual truth and promise, we hear the next set of verses in the Psalm starting at verse two. “Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:2, ESV) Notice how the word “therefore” follows the spiritual truth. If we understand that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” … …therefore… …we will not fear. We build confidently upon the promises of God. If He is our refuge against our greatest spiritual enemies which can destroy the soul, then we need not fear the earthly troubles that can only destroy the body.

When you look around the earthly realm some of the most powerful things that can be experienced are either natural disasters or man-made disasters. On the one hand he describes the earth giving way, the sea roaring and foam, the mountains trembling and being thrown into the sea, the nations rage, and the kingdoms totter. On the other hand, he describes the river that brings life making the city of God glad. He utters His voice and the earth melts. Again, the promise is made that the Lord dwells in the midst of His people so that they shall not fear and be moved like the mountains. Here the Psalmist teaches us a contrast between the fallen creation and the Creator of all things.

Even if a natural disaster or man-made disaster takes our home, our possessions, our family, or even our own lives, we still have the kingdom of God for He is our fortress. Let the devil throw as much trouble at us as he will. He can harm us none. He’s already been defeated upon the cross.

Now this doesn’t mean that we believe that nothing bad will ever happen to us as believers in Christ. On the contrary, we continue to trust that God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble even when our car breaks down or worse things happen to us in this life. We are learning to have faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who would not worship in the style of Nebuchadnezzar even though it meant the possibility of their earthly death in the fiery furnace. They confessed before the Babylonian King saying, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, ESV) They trusted in the promise that God was their refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. They were confident that they were in the LORD’s hand. The righteous shall live by faith in this life and in the life to come. Those who believe in Christ shall live even though they die.

For this reason, it is said that the Lutheran princes sang A Mighty Fortress before entering the Diet at the city of Augsburg in 1530 in which they stood before the Emperor. About a century later, it is also said that the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus had his troops sing this hymn before rescuing the Lutheran princes in the Thirty Years War from sure destruction by the so-called Holy Roman Empire. The Swedish King died in battle trusting in the promises of God.

This was all because of their faith in Christ. They believed that their God was the God of Jacob who was the God of Israel who redeemed them from Egypt who was the God who promised the Messiah who was the God who became flesh and dwelt among us as Immanuel who is the God who redeemed us by His shed blood upon the cross. This God was their fortress in which they took refuge from all earthly threats and even more from all spiritual threats. Their God is our God. Throughout life we boldly confess the words of Psalm 46 with them saying, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” The Christian Faith is not part of the world of pretend and make believe. We put our lives on the line.

When I was a kid, I used to make a fortress out of the cushion from the living room couch. Now, this was a very shaky fortress. The slightest movement would bring the whole structure down. Every thing had to be still inside and outside my cushion fortress. This was no true refuge or stronghold. It was only for pretend. In contrast to a stone fortress, there is no comparison. A stone fortress can be a substantial refuge. Yet, even the best engineered fortress in the world will eventually crumble and be moved, especially when the weapons of modern warfare are utilized against it. There is only one fortress that can withstand all created forces and that fortress is our God. Nothing in creation can overpower Him. The great forces of nature, the military forces of the world, and even the evil spiritual forces of darkness cannot stand against Him.

The picture of God given to us in Psalm 46 is not one that portrays a soft, cuddly, cushion fortress. Instead, this picture portrays God as holy and omnipotent. He is all powerful. With God being the fortress, the question that continues to confront us is this: Are you inside the fortress or are you on the outside of the fortress? If you are on the outside, then you are an enemy of God that will be defeated. If you are in God taking refuge, then all of your enemies on the outside will be defeated.

The promise we have in our baptism assures us that we are in the fortress. We are in Christ. In Christ, we are friends with God and not enemies. In Christ, our enemies of the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh will be defeated. The problem we face is that our own sinful flesh is engaged in espionage in our own hearts. It is trying to convince us to defect and leave the refuge of the fortress and apply for citizenship outside of Christ. We are constantly under attack.

Even so, in the midst of all of this chaos, the LORD tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, ESV) With the mountains trembling, the sea roaring, and the nations raging, we are able to stand and to be still. For in Christ we have peace that the world cannot give. He is our refuge, strength, and fortress. On this day, we rejoice in the knowledge of this truth and we put our faith in it. See, we didn’t gather this day to pretend like we are Lutheran playing in man-made cushion fortresses. We didn’t gather this day to play dress up and wear read clothes. We gather today to believe as Lutherans who trust in the promises of God. We have been clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. This truth enables us to stand firm. Amen.

Here Comes the Exterior Walls

2010-11-22T19:07:00.000-08:00

Autumn Greeting from LCMS President Harrison

2010-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

Autumn Greeting from LCMS President Harrison from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Transitions

2010-11-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Throughout the church year we are faced with significant transitions in theme from one service to the next. For example, as we left October and enter into November, we changed our focus from our fellow saints here on earth to those saints who are with the Lord. On Reformation Sunday we remembered that day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door signifying the reemphasis on the gospel as the true treasure of the church. Our focus was on the church militant that is still at war fighting the good fight against the old Evil Foe who tries to take away our treasure. Throughout our pilgrimage we put out trust in the strength of the Lord who guards and keeps us. He is our Mighty Fortress in whom we take refuge.

Then on All Saints Sunday, we celebrated the victory that we have in Christ. We give thanks to God for all the saints who have gone on before us who have fought the good fight and now rest from their labors. They confessed the name of Jesus and put their hope in His coming, suffering, dying, living, protecting, and fighting for them. All who believe on the Lord Jesus are saints both here in time and there in eternity.

On this Sunday, we mark the last Sunday of the Church Year. We look forward to the Last Day and the Final Judgment. In Christ, we already know the verdict: "Not guilty." Jesus has take our punishment for us. He was forsaken by the Father so that we would not be forsaken. The following Sunday will be the first Sunday in Advent in which we focus upon the first coming and the second coming of Christ.

On the Last Sunday in Advent we make ready for the coming of the Christ by joining in the anticipation of the saints in the Old Testament times. Then on Christmas Eve, we celebrate the glad tidings with the saints that saw the Christ Child born in the little town of Bethlehem.

Another example is seen in the transition between the services of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Friday, we focus with the saints at the foot of the cross on Christ’s suffering, death, and burial for us. Then on Sunday, as the Lord opened the tomb He opens are lips to sing His praise with all the saints: Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Temporary Signs

2010-11-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

First Snow on the New Roof

2010-11-16T07:30:00.000-08:00

Bird's Eye View Sort of

2010-11-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

Sermon: Two Men

2010-11-12T06:02:00.000-08:00

22nd Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Luke 18:9-17

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

I don’t know about you, but I will be glad when all these political advertisements come to an end next month. I am tired of hearing about how this candidate is better then that candidate, because of all the bad things that the other candidate has done. Now I realize that is the way things are done in the secular world. But what about when such mud slinging happens in the church. What about when Christians go before God trying to gain His approval and vote.

In today’s gospel text, we are taught to be genuine and humble Christians. Genuine Christians cling to the righteousness of Jesus that is given to them by grace alone. Humble Christians acknowledge their deficiencies to God. On the other hand, pseudo Christians boast in their own righteousness. Prideful Christians tell God just how good they are. We are warned against self-righteousness and treating others with contempt. We are learning to keep these attitudes in check. Our concern is not about how genuine another Christian is; rather, we are to concern ourselves with our own lives to confirm that we are genuine. Our concern is not about the outward actions and appearances of other Christians; rather, we are to concern ourselves with our own actions and appearances that we display to others.

Today’s parable was given to those who trusted in themselves and treated others with contempt. They were justifying themselves in their own eyes. They were declaring themselves righteous based upon their own righteous deeds. At the same time they were declaring others unrighteous based upon their unrighteous deeds. In order to teach this lesson, Jesus our blessed Savior tells a parable about two different men and how they both stand before God. One sees himself in good standing and the other stands convicted.

In our Old Testament lesson, we also hear of two men who stand before God. Abel offers his sacrifice in faith and Cain does not. Based upon the outward appearance we see both men display a piety toward God. But, God judges the heart. God does not see the outward actions apart from the heart. With faith, evil actions are not counted against a man for they were counted against Christ on the cross. With faith, good actions begin to materialize. Without faith, good actions are not seen by God as good. They are tainted with sin. Without faith, all evil actions are counted against a man.

In today’s parable, two men offer prayers to God. One offers in pride and the other offers in humility. Again, by the outward appearance both men are acting piously toward God. In fact, the Pharisee comes across as very pious. He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to God making it clear that he was not like other men who were extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even a tax collector. He refrained from such ruling sins. In addition, he had the positive characteristics of a righteous man. He fasted twice a week and even gave a tithe of all that he receives. On the other hand, the tax collector, well all that we know is that he is a tax collector.

Now in our day and age, we have heard this parable multiple times and we quickly jump to the conclusion. We know that as soon as we hear about a Pharisee in the parable, he is not the one we will want to emulate. We swiftly assume the Pharisee is the bad one and the tax collector is the good one. But keep in mind that is not the way that the original audience would have heard the parable. They would have thought to themselves… …ah the Pharisee… …he is the good one and the tax collector is going to get the what for. You see, the Pharisees were known for their piety and their spirituality.

In our day, it would be more like saying that there were two men, one was a conservative Christian and the other was a liberal politician. Again, it would be like saying that one was a Lutheran pastor and the other a used car salesman. In this way, we might jump to the assumption that the conservative Christian or the Lutheran pastor would be the good guy while the liberal politician or the used car salesman would be the bad guy in the parable.

With that frame work in mind, let’s look at the two men. The Pharisee, the conservative Christian, the Lutheran pastor, went before the presence of God and prayed. He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. But, what was he thankful for? He was thankful that he was not like other men. It is as if he had prayed, “I thank you God that I am a conservative Christian… …a Lutheran pastor.” He was not like other men who were extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, and tax collectors.

In essence, he is not listing his own sins, but rather the sins of others. It would be as if we had thanked God at the start of the Divine Service by saying, “We thank you God that we are not like others who sin against you in thought, word, and deed. We thank you that we are not like others who have not loved You as they should and have not loved us as they should. They justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment.” Or it would be as if you were more concerned about what the person next to you has done or not done rightly. Or it would be as if you were more concerned about the person who did not come to the Divine Service.

See this is what self-justification does. It makes one right in one’s own sight. In this way, the individual focuses on the short comings of others in order to make himself stand taller before God. This is looking at others with contempt. As they say, “the one-eyed jack rules as king in the land of the blind.” As long as you can magnify the sins of others, then you can minimize your own sins to the point in which they seem to be non-existent. It would be like trying to compare yourself to a three-month old infant and boasting how much better you are. You can walk and talk. You can use a computer and drive a car. Yet Jesus warns us from excluding infants from the kingdom. Unless we “receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17, ESV)

After focusing on the actions of others, the Pharisee, the conservative Christian, the Lutheran pastor, then draws attention to his own actions. He informs God that he has fasted twice a week and gives a tithe of all that he gets. In essence he is praising himself before God. Rather than declaring the wonderful things that God has done for him, he tells God what he has done for Him.

In this parable, the Lord warns us so that we do not become arrogant and prideful. Instead, he teaches us to pray like the tax collector who “would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13, ESV) Here the tax collector, the liberal politician, the used car salesman, is not concerned about the sins of others. He does not treat the Pharisee with contempt. He is focused on his owns sins and his need for mercy. He does not praise himself telling the Lord about all the wonderful things that he has done for the kingdom of God. No, he shamefully declares his unrighteousness. His focus is on God’s action. He requires God’s mercy and trusts that God is merciful.

Jesus says, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14, ESV) The one who is justified, that is declared righteous by God, is the tax collector. He is not justified based upon the righteous things that he has done; rather, he is justified based upon the righteous things that Christ has done. Jesus humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him.

In our baptism, we are united with Christ. We have received the kingdom. His obedience is declared to be our obedience. We humbly draw before God confessing our sin and asking for mercy for the sake of Christ. In Him, we have been highly exalted. From Christ we are learning to humble ourselves. Humility does not brag about being more pious, more religious, more spiritual, or more righteous than others. Humility does not try to win God’s vote. We do not need to campaign with God. He has already voted for us and our election is promised in the gospel. For the sake of Christ, your sins are forgiven. You have been justified, that is declared righteous in God’s sight. Amen.

Movin' Dirt

2010-11-10T14:54:00.000-08:00

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Lutheran church in Spain installs first pastor

2010-11-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to find out more about the installation of a Lutheran pastor in Spain. It has been nearly 400 years since Spain has had its own Lutheran pastor.

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Lutheran church in Spain installs first pastor

More and More Roof

2010-11-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Sermon: All Scripture is Able to Make One Wise for Salvation

2010-11-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

21^st Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

2 Tim. 3:14-4:5

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Our gospel text ends with this question, “[W]hen the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8, ESV) The prompting of this question leads us to pray that the Father’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. We desire that the Father’s will would be done in our own lives and in the lives of many others.

In his first letter to Timothy, St. Paul teaches us that God our Savior “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4, ESV) From today’s epistle lesson, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we learn that all scripture is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15, ESV) As disciples, we are called to continue and to remain in the knowledge of the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit in the written scriptures.

For this reason, the Lord has instituted the pastoral office to preach the gospel and to administer the sacraments. Likewise, He has instituted the local congregation in which His people gather around these means of grace. In this way, the Holy Spirit brings people to the knowledge of the truth making them wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Through these instituted means, we become acquainted with the sacred writings which make us wise for salvation.

To continue and remain in the written scriptures of the Old and New Testament is no easy task. First, the ears are itchy by nature and want to hear a different word than the one that comes from God. Second, the tongue is wild by nature and wants to speak a different word than the one that comes from God. Thus, we are taught to stay awake and be on guard. We are taught to pray asking that the Father would grant us His Holy Spirit so that we would believe His word and live lives according to it and that the church would teach His word in its truth and purity.

Our appointed epistle lesson begins with these words, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it…” (2 Tim. 3:14, ESV) This little word “but” references what Paul had said earlier in the same chapter. The Apostle is making a distinction between Timothy and those who are living lives in opposition to the Apostolic teaching.

Earlier in the same chapter, the Apostle noted that they, those other ones, are “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV) Here Paul is exposing the sin that such people are continuing in. On the contrary, Timothy is being encouraged to remain in the right teaching and the right living that Paul taught in word and deed.

Now when we hear such a list of false living, we are quick to say either, that it describes the life of someone else and it does not concern us or we try to change the words to mean something else and it does not concern us. Ever since the fall into sin, we don’t want to get bogged down in the fine details of the written text. Instead, we look with our eyes and rationalize what seems right. The devil has taught us to take the clear word of God and ask the question, “Did God really mean that?”

Yet, from today’s epistle lesson the Holy Spirit is teaching us that all scripture is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15, ESV) We are warned by the Holy Spirit so that we do not become like those who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7, ESV)

Now I don’t know about you, but when I open up a box containing something that needs assembling or something that needs installing, I don’t pay full attention to the instruction manual. I don’t want to get bogged down in the fine details of the written text. I just want to get the job done and move on to more important things. I have a tendency to just look at the pictures and interpret for myself what they mean to me. Sometimes I end up with extra parts or parts that just don’t fit right.

Now of course the Bible is not merely an instruction manual teaching us how we can put our own lives back together. No, it is God’s word which teaches how He is putting our lives back together. It is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15, ESV) This wisdom and faith is a gift from God that He delivers to us through the scripture. This is no ordinary written text. It is not a man made instruction manual about life. It is the very word of God. And for this reason, Paul instructs Timothy and all pastors after him to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)

In order to understand the power of the word of God we are taught that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV) Likewise, in Hebrews chapter four we are taught that, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13, ESV)

Now, I don’t know if you are familiar with the story about the emperor’s new clothes. Well the story goes something like this: a deceitful tailor rolls into town and convinces the emperor that he needs a special set of clothes that only the most special people can see. So the tailor deceives him and tricks him into putting on these special clothes that are no clothes at all. Once the emperor is dressed in these clothes he cannot see them, but the tailor assures him that they look magnificent. Thus, the emperor pretends to see them also. Then he goes to his consultants and they claim that they can see them too for they want to be special likewise. But, they cannot see the clothes either. Although he is exposed and naked, he thinks that he is alright. To comfort himself, the emperor gathers around him a bunch of people who tell him what he wants to hear.

You see “ people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,” (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV) By nature we don’t want to admit that we stand naked and exposed before God. We want to assure ourselves that we are doing just fine. We want to feel that we are dressed splendidly. That evil tailor the devil has come in and convinced us that we are not naked and guilty before God. He deceives us by telling us that we do not need to confess our sins. In agreement with the devil, we accumulate people who tell us what we want to hear. We have itching ears by nature. We want to hear the word of man that comes from the devil which excuses sin.

On the contrary, the word of God comes to expose sin and give to us Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives to us ears to hear. The law comes to expose us and strip us of our own filthy rags that we think makes us special. The Holy Spirit uses His word to take off all of our unrighteousness and clothe us with the righteousness of Christ. The word of God is powerful. It changes us into God’s people making us holy in His sight for the sake of Jesus.

As those who are still in this world, who are of this world, we lack true knowledge. Therefore, the LORD gives to us His written word so that we can have true knowledge. He is renewing our minds. He gives to us faith to believe in what we cannot see. As those who are still in this world, who are of this world, we have evil desires and we are self serving. The scripture comes to correct these actions and focus our deeds upon our neighbor. The LORD loves us and creates love in us that flows from believing hearts in order to love others. As those who are still in this world, who are of this world, we are weak and frail. We cannot survive on our own. We are not independent. We are dependant upon God. Therefore, He gives to us the holy scriptures to comfort us and encourage us to endure all evil. It grants to us hope. It assures us that all though all these things are coming down upon us, that these things are only temporary. The LORD is eternal and He gives to us the gift of eternal life. The word of God comes to us it is able to make us wise to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ so that we may share in eternal life with God from this point in time into all eternity. Amen.

More Roof

2010-11-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - LCMS, SELC conduct fellowship discussions

2010-11-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to find out more about the current fellowship discussions with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church: Russia

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - LCMS, SELC conduct fellowship discussions

View the SELC Seminary link below:

http://www.lts.ru/index..html

Here Comes the Roof

2010-11-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

Martin Luther ("Manic Monday" by the Bangles)

2010-11-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

More and More Metal

2010-11-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

More Metal

2010-11-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sermon: The LORD's Hand Upon Us

2010-11-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

20th Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Ruth 1:1-19

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

In our English Bibles, we find the book of Joshua located sequentially after the five books of Moses. In the book of Joshua the Holy Spirit teaches us about the securing of the Promise Land under the leadership of Joshua. In those days the people as a whole were faithful to the LORD their God who brought them out of Egypt. However, in the next book in order, we are told of the unfaithfulness of Israel at the death of Joshua. The book of Judges ends with this statement, "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25, ESV) The people of God had failed to listen to the word of God.

Today’s Old Testament reading begins with these words, "In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech… " (Ruth 1:1, ESV) These are the first words of the book of Ruth. As you recall, the people of God began worshiping the LORD their God in the way of their contemporaries. Thus, the curses of the covenant came upon them. The broken covenant resulted in such things as their fields, baskets, and kneading bowl being cursed. It brought heat and drought causing famine. The heavens above their heads were like bronze, and the earth under their feet was like iron. The precious rain was like powder. Thus, the famine came.

Like his fathers before him, Elimelech left the Promised Land for awhile during the drought. Abraham and Jacob had fled to Egypt during famines in the life time. Isaac fled to Gerar of the Philistines during the famine in his day. In such times, the ultimate goal of the LORD their God was not to keep them away from the Promised Land. Nor was it to make them forget His promises. Rather, this was a testing of their faith that the LORD their God would provide.

Now the Promised Land was to said to be flowing with milk and honey. The land was to be like paradise on earth with an abundance of food. Yet, Elimelech had to leave his city of Bethlehem because of the famine. The Hebrew word Bethlehem means, “House of Bread.” It didn’t seem like a house of bread during the days of famine. The house was empty. The baskets and the kneading bowls were cursed. This did not seem like the Promised Land. Also, note that Elimelech’s name means, “My God is King.” It did not seem like the LORD was King. Thus, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his two sons moved to Moab. But they continued to live in the promises of God. Then, Elimielch and his two sons die died outside of the Promised Land. Now Naomi had suffered the loss of land, food, and the lives of her loved ones. How is it that God was King? How could the King let His people go hungry? How could the King let His people die outside the Promised Land?

Naomi is extremely distraught under these circumstances. She tells her sons wives,“for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:13, ESV) Yet, she has not given up her faith in the LORD her God. She returns to Bethlehem. Verse six states,“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.” (Ruth 1:6, ESV) Because of her faith in God’s goodness, Naomi returned to the Land of Promise. The LORD had come to His people to help them in their day of trouble. He visited them with His loving presence for their good.

There is a holy tension here between feeling the pains of affliction while at the same time trusting in the goodness and mercy of God. Through tragedy, we are tested and tried. The afflictions brought upon us teach us to rely upon the LORD our God all the more. When we are brought low, we are humbled and realize our need for a Redeemer. We live in a fallen world where there is death and famine, sickness, and hunger.

When we feel the pressure of the heavy hand of the LORD upon us, it is a call to constant repentance and trust in Him. He is the potter. We are the clay. He makes us and shapes us. He puts us through the fire to perfect us and form us into useful vessels for Him. He is the Master weaver and we are the tattered baskets. He is mending us. Through such calamities in life, we are learning to listen to His voice and be His bowls and baskets that He fills up with His good gifts.

By nature, we are cursed baskets and kneading bowls.We are earthen vessels prone to cling to the earth. We tremble because the devil comes to crack us, chip us, break us, and tear us apart so that we cannot receive the blessings of the LORD and be filled by Him. The LORD continues to assure us that His heavy hand upon us is applying pressure to make us firm in the faith. He is repairing us and making us solid.

The ten lepers recognized their need for healing. In afflictions, just like the ten lepers, the LORD is teaching us to pray, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:13, ESV) Jesus tells the Samaritan that was healed from his leprosy, “Rise and go your way, your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17:19) We are learning that God’s hand is at work in the circumstances of our lives. We trust in his promises. In these circumstances, we are learning to trust in Him. He cares for the widows. He cares for the leper. He cares for us.

Look with me at Psalm thirteen. David writes,

"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:1-6, ESV)

David asks, “How long?” while at the same time declaring, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love.” In our afflictions, we are being taught to trust in His steadfast love.

Now if you were to talk a piece of chalk as you go out the door after the Divine Service and place a mark on the sidewalk this would represent your life. Then, if you were to take that chalk and draw a line to your house and continue to draw a line wherever you go, that would represent eternity. There is no comparison. From an eternal perspective, the short afflictions that we face in this life are nothing. They are just a small speck of chalk.

In today’s Old Testament text, we see two different reactions to the afflictions of the world. Orpah kisses Naomi and leaves for her people and her gods. Ruth clings to Naomi and her people and her God. Naomi and Ruth gather together with the people of God in Bethlehem who wait on the LORD receiving His gifts. Eventually, Naomi is redeemed. Boaz her Kinsman Redeemer takes back her land and takes Ruth as a wife. The LORD gives Ruth the gift of a husband and a son. This son will become the father of Jesse who will become the father of David. David will become king.

The LORD does not forget His promises to His people. The way of the world is to forget the promises of God. As part of this fallen creation, we are drawn to deny Christ and return to the dust with no hope. However, that is not the will of the LORD our God. He has visited His people in a unique way in the birth of Jesus who takes upon our earthen bodies. Zechariah sings, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his peopleand has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” (Luke 1:68-69, ESV) Jesus will be the descendant of David of the tribe Judah. He was born in the city of Bethlehem which is the “House of Bread.” He is the Bread from Heaven that gives us eternal life. He will suffer from the curse of the land becoming a curse for us so that we would be blessed in Him. Jesus is our King. Like Elimelech, we can boldly say, My God is King. He is mercifully overseeing the affairs of my life. His hand is upon us making us and taking us to be with Him forever. Amen.

Halfway Around the Exterior

2010-10-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

A Week After the Concrete

2010-10-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Reformation Sunday

2010-10-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

On Reformation Sunday, we celebrate the beginning of the Reformation Movement when Martin Luther the Blessed Reformer nailed the 95-Theses to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. From this date we trace the reigniting of the gospel light that had been hidden under a bushel in the Middle Ages. There were three great slogans regarding salvation that were brought back to the church in those days: sola gratia, sola fide, and sola scriptura. Of course I just gave you these phrases in Latin. In English, we would say grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone.

“Sola” or “alone” is an exclusive word. We use it to designate one thing at the exclusion of another. For instance in the music world, we would say that when one singer sings independently of others, she is singing a “solo.” It is her and her alone who is singing. Or in the world of baseball, if a batter hits a homerun and no one else is on base we would call this a “solo homerun.” Only that batter alone would score a run.

Thus, in the church we proclaim that salvation has come to us by grace alone at the exclusion of any merit on our part. Salvation is received through faith alone at the exclusion of any works on our part. Salvation is based upon Scripture alone at the exclusion of any additional words or feelings on our part. All three of these slogans are linked together like a gold chain. Let us look at these three slogans in detail.

Sola Gratia
When you think of the word “gratia” or “grace”, think of such words as “gratis” or “gratuitous” meaning free or gift. Grace is God’s undeserved favor. Salvation is given to us as a gift not because we deserve it or have earned it. If salvation were something we could earn or purchase for ourselves it would not be a gift. It would be a wage or a payment that is owed to us.

However, because we are sinners by birth, what we earn or merit is death. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is life in Christ Jesus. Salvation is ours by grace alone because of Christ alone. He alone purchased our salvation from death, devil, and sin with His own blood. Because of Christ, God forgives us and is merciful to us. Left to ourselves we would remain lost and condemned. God is the one who alone does the action. He says in today’s Old Testament lesson, “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34 ESV)

In this life, you will be continually tempted to be the star of the show. The devil will try to trick you into being the main actor or the co-actor in the drama of your life story. If you could be the star, there would be no need for forgiveness and no need for Christ.

Salvation is a free gift of God given to you by grace alone because of Jesus Christ alone.

Sola Fide
When you think of the word “fide” or “faith”, think of “fidelity” meaning faithfulness. Faith is trusting and clinging to God’s Word of promise. As Martin Luther says, “faith is like glue that attaches the heart to the God’s Word.” God has promised that your sins are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is an unconditional promise. There are no strings attached. Salvation is received by us through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

In today’s Epistle Lesson, the Apostle Paul writes to us, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28 NKJV). To be justified is to be declared righteous for the sake of Jesus, who alone is righteous. His righteousness is imputed or credited to you through faith. This is the great exchange. Your unrighteousness is placed upon Jesus and His righteousness is placed upon you. Because of Jesus we are righteous in God’s sight.

In this life, you will be continually tempted to boast in your own righteousness or be tempted to live securely in your own unrighteousness. Human tendency is to try to justify ourselves and make us right in our own eyes. We like to make up excuses and justify our actions. Yet, if we focus on our own righteous actions, we will always fall short of the perfect righteousness of God.

At the same to remember that faith is never alone apart from good works. Faith is active and living and freely does what God says. Without works faith is dead. Luther states, “It is therefore as impossible to separate works from faith as it is to separate heat and light from fire.” Yet, these good works do not make us right in God’s sight. Make no mistake, good works are not the root of salvation rather they are the fruit of salvation. The Holy Spirit in the believer produces fruit.

Jesus alone is your righteousness and your salvation. Salvation is received through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Faith itself is a gift from God.

Sola Scriptura
When we think of the word “scriptura” or “Scripture”, think of such words as “inscribe” or “script” meaning written. Scripture is the inspired Word of God written by the prophets and the apostles.

The primary message of the Bible is the Gospel. God’s Word is proclaimed to us in order to assure us that God is merciful, loving, compassionate, and forgiving because of Jesus. God gives to us the gift of the written Scripture so that we do not have terrified or seduced by every new teaching that comes along describing a new method or way to heaven. Jesus is the Way and there is no other. He tells us to listen to His voice and He gives us the Bible so that we can know it.

Jesus says in today’s Gospel Text, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31 NKJV). Jesus is the Truth and He has set us free to be the people of God. The Word of the Lord is lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. The Lord is your light and your salvation.

In this life, you will be continually tempted to allow your mind to change and distort the Word of God to your own liking. Instead, let your mind be changed and renewed by the Word of God. The Holy Scriptures are active and living it is the tool that the Lord uses to work in you to bring about your salvation. The Bible is not merely the word of men, but rather the Word of God.

The main purpose of the Holy Scripture is to proclaim Jesus Christ alone.

Today we celebrate the reason why we desire to be Lutheran. We are Lutheran because we believe in the doctrine taught by Martin Luther who proclaimed that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone which is promised to us in Scripture alone. Let us rejoice in this light brought back to the church in the days of the Reformation. As those who believe this message of Good News, you are the light of the world. You are a light in this city set on a hill. Let us proclaim the glorious of Him who brought us out of darkness into His glorious light for Jesus did not die for us alone. He died for the sins of the world.

Putting Up the Steel Studs

2010-10-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

Building in the Sun

2010-10-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

Building in the Rain and Snow

2010-10-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Sermon: At the Appointed Time

2010-10-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

19th Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Yesterday, I was standing in line at a fast food restaurant waiting for my order. I waited and waited and waited. It didn’t seem very fast. Of course, I happened to be there at the wrong time, that is, at the same time all those other people were standing in line and all those cars were outside at the drive through. A few weeks ago, I was driving down to White Rock on the truck route and the traffic was stopped so that they could repave the road. I was sitting there watching cars in front of me getting out of line and turning around in order to head back to Los Alamos instead of waiting. Then of course there is our building project. We are still waiting for a permit in order to pour the concrete. In all these situations, we wonder how long is this going to take. Time matters when you have something better to do. Situations like these reveal the reality that we are not in control. We want things done our way. Likewise, we see how impatient we are by nature. We want things done in our own timing.

In today’s Old Testament text, the prophet Habakkuk wants to know how long things will take. The prophet asks, "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?" (Habakkuk 1:2, ESV) He was preaching the message of repentance to the people of the southern kingdom and was seeing no results. The people of God would not listen to the prophet of God. How long shall he continue? Then Habakkuk continues to question God asking, "Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise." (Habakkuk 1:3, ESV) The prophet complains at the way that God has chosen to do things.

It is natural to question God. Now when I say natural, I don’t mean that it is good or right. No. It is natural because we are sinners by nature. The human heart wants to be in control as if it is the center of the universe. When times are tough and stress is building, sin is displayed in impatience, irritability, and grumpiness. When life does not go our way, sin is shown forth in arrogance, pride, and stubbornness. Not only are we unable to control the circumstance around us, we are not able to control our own sinful heart. For this reason, the word of God exposes such sin as part of the fallen creation. It calls us to recognize sin as sin.

Then the word of God reveals to us that God in control. He is God and we are not. The promise is given to us “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV) Rather than question God, as His people we are to trust that God is God. We are working with His time clock and His wisdom. We are called to faith in the promises that He gives to us as His people. We are learning to be patient

The role of the prophet is to teach God’s people such truths. Using the word of God, he comes to shatter all forms of false security. In the days of Habakkuk, the people of God were secure in themselves. The northern kingdom fell to the Assyrians, but the southern kingdom had the city of Jerusalem, the temple of God, and the house of David. In fact, they even saw the feeble efforts of the Assyrians who tried to take the city. In one night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 of their soldiers. Thus the people of God wrongly interpreted the misfortunes of the north and their fortunes in the south as God’s favor upon them no matter what they did. They believed in “once delivered always delivered.” God had saved them from the Assyrians, thus they had nothing to fear or so they thought.

Yet, the society located around Jerusalem became centered on sin. Habakkuk saw violence and injustice running rampant among the people of God. Fellow Jews were hurting and harming one another. This did not look like the covenant people of God. Thus, Habakkuk says, "So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (Habakkuk 1:4, ESV) The prophet ponders where God was in the midst of all of this chaos? To Habakkuk, it seemed like the Law of Moses was paralyzed. The people were not listening to the voice of God and they were not heeding the warning of the covenant curses.

So as a prophet, Habakkuk both speaks God’s word to the people and likewise speaks to God in behalf of the people. How long will it take for God to bring justice for the oppressed? As chapter one continues beyond our assigned reading, the LORD answers in saying, "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV) The Lord will raise up the Chaldeans, also known as the Babylonians, who will overtake the Assyrians. The LORD describes them to Habakkuk. They are a fierce army. They are like hungry evening wolves ready to devour. They are swift like eagles. They will catch their enemies as readily as a fisherman catches fish. They laugh at every fortress. The city of Jerusalem will be no match. They will bring violence upon the people of God along with their own style of justice. These unrepentant people will punish the unrepentance of the people of God. The LORD reveals these events to Habakkuk before they take place, so that when they do we can be confident that God is in control.

God is doing a strange work. The violence in Judah will be answered with violence from Babylon. The injustice of God’s people will be replaced with pagan justice. In order to build the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Judah must be destroyed. The current son of David must be dethroned in order for the True Son of David to sit on the throne. In the book of Acts, St. Paul quotes these words of Habakkuk in reference to the resurrection of Jesus. This too was a strange work. The Messiah was forsaken by God in order to bring God’s favor upon all the nations. The Davidic King wore a thorn crown. Violence and injustice were given to Him so that mercy and goodness would be given to us. The temple of His body was destroyed, but on the third day it was raised again to be the permanent dwelling place of God’s glory in the midst of His people. This is a strange work and only by the gift of the Holy Spirit can one believe. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we are being renewed. He gives the gift of patience and self-control. Thus, we are called to listen to the prophets and the apostles who reveal to us this strange work of God.

In those days, the people of God wanted to know how long it would be until the Messiah would come and establish His eternal kingdom. How long should they wait? In our day, we wonder, how long it will be until the coming kingdom is fully made manifest. In chapter two of today’s reading, the LORD told Habakkuk, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3, ESV) The role of the prophet and the apostles is to continue to teach repentance and faith in the name of the Messiah. Habakkuk was commissioned to put the vision of the coming Messiah before the people’s eyes. My role as your pastor is to teach you to take your eyes off of yourselves and to set them on Jesus. Do not concern yourselves with getting your way; rather, concern yourselves with believing that Jesus is the way.

Then the LORD goes on to make a contrast between the foolish one who trusts in himself and his own accomplishments and the righteous one who trusts in God. The coming Babylonians will trust in their own strength assuming that they have received their victories and kingdoms from their own abilities. In this way, they will make their strength their god in whom they rejoice. They will view their kingdom as the work of their own hands.

Yet, all rampant sin will come to an end. It will cease and be punished. The Babylonians lived by the sword and they died by the sword. But, the people of God, then and now, are called to life by faith trusting in the promises of God. The “righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV) We look around and we see destruction and death, yet we wait for the appointed time when death itself will come to an end.

The other day I was at the airport with Pastor Coleman. We were waiting at the security gate. We choose separate lines. I took the short one. However, the gentleman in front of me had some strange item in his bag that was spotted by the x-ray machine. All of a sudden, the new employees were all gathered over to see the object. My shorter line became the longer line. There was nothing I could do to control the circumstances. Thus, I boarded the plane at the same time as Pastor Coleman. Once we were up in the air, there was nothing I could do to change the rate at which we arrived in Albuquerque. Once again, Pastor Coleman and I both arrived in Albuquerque at the same time. It was the appointed time of arrival. We arrived when we were supposed to arrive.

As we cry out with Habakkuk saying, “How long will the LORD take to act?” The LORD answers, “At the appointed time.” If it seems like the LORD is taking His time, wait on the LORD. He is taking His time. It is all in God’s timing and not ours. In the mean time, we live by faith and cling to His word of promise. The “righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV) Keep the faith.

This passage from Habakkuk is quoted in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. We are declared righteous by God. We have the promise of His favor for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. It may not feel like we are holy, but He promises that His holiness is ours. It may not appear like we have the kingdom, but He promises that the kingdom is ours. It may not seem like death has been defeated, but He promises that we have life. Even though we die, we shall live. He is the Life. The righteous shall live by faith. Amen.

Just Keep on Building, Keep on Building...

2010-10-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Redeemer Los Alamos

Jesus = Religion

The Epiphany of Our Lord

It's Still Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Still in Advent and Still Waiting

Sacred Christmas Music

The Pulpit Used by C.F.W. Walther for Preaching the Gospel

The "Not-So-Great-Commission" Parts 1 and 2

Sermon on Isaiah 55

Speed Painting of Martin Luther

The Crucified and Risen Christ

Luther the Graphic Novel

New Lutheran School in Vietnam

Redeemer Theological Academy

Images in the Lutheran Church

Sermon: On the Holy Trinity

Lutheran Liturgical Theology

Coram Deo 2011

Role of Theological Education in Missions

The Augsburg Confession

Bible on Trial Television Program

Pentecost 2011

Christ Has Died and Christ Has Risen. Alleluia!

Debate on the Veracity of the Resurrection

Sermon: Easter Sunday, 2011

Easter 2011

The Death and Resurrection of Christ

Blessed Easter

Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion

Blessed Holy Week

Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Crucifix

LCMS President, Asia Regional Director Give Update on Japan

Jesus says, "Come to Me"

Jesus says, "Come to Me."

Summer Workshop on the Psalms

NEW MEXICO—August 22-24, 2011

Learn From Jesus How to Pray

Learn From Jesus How to Pray

Dr. Masaki: Continue to Pray for Japan

Blessed Lent from President Harrison

Lutherans In Japan

March 13, 2011 Dedication of New Sanctuary

Sermon: Salt and Light

President Harrison on Life Ministry

Adding Color to the Stucco

The LEGO Mosaic of Luther's Seal

Sermon: Behold the Lamb of God

Sermon: Behold the Lamb of God

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Adding Color to the New Sanctuary

The Father's Voice

The Father's Voice

Stucco Scratch Coat

Epiphany Blessings from LCMS President Matthew Harrison

Altar at Christmas

Sermon: Biblical Hope

2nd Sunday in Advent, 2010

Here Comes the Drywall

Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church

Snow Delay

Message from LCMS President on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Contemporary Worship in the Old Testament Scriptures

Sermon: Dressing for Action

First Sunday in Advent, 2010

Bird's Eye View

Sermon: Remembering

Last Sunday of the Church Year, 2010

Lift High the Cross

Preparing for the Cross

Sermon: The Sun of Righteousness

25th Sunday after Pentecost

Advent Blessing From LCMS President Matt Harrison

Sermon: The Blood of the Lamb

All Saints Sunday, 2010

Getting Ready for the Stucco

Sermon: The God of Jacob is Our Fortress

Reformation Sunday, 2010

2^nd Sunday in Advent, 2010

25^th Sunday after Pentecost

21^st Sunday after Pentecost, 2010