Preachrblog

Lent 3 – February 27th, 2005 Ephesians 5:8-14 “Light” Text: (Ephesians 5:8-14, NIV) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." I. Introduction – “Let there be light” – the first words spoken by our Lord, as recorded in the creation account of Genesis. And what an important creation light is. Where would we be without light? Very simply: in the dark. Today’s readings carry a common thread – a focus on blindness versus sight, and light versus darkness. In particular we look at th...

"Grant, Lord Jesus, Those in Blindness" Tune: Der am Kreuz (LW #95 "Grant, Lord Jesus, that my Healing") Grant, Lord Jesus, those in blindness Born into this world of sin Grant to them Your loving-kindness Cleanse them of the guilt within Let the blood of Jesus be Healing balm that we may see Washed by Word and Water Holy Gaze upon our True Light only To the man born blind and begging Messianic mercy shown Spit and dust, balm of Your making Medicine this world unknown When the mud You had applied Washed with water from his eyes Sight would come and then believing Eyes of faith would soon be seeing When the Pharisees heard of it Put the once-blind man to test He then called You, Lord, a prophet With true insight he was blessed So blind were those Pharisees Their own sin they could not see Could not see their souls' damnation Or in You God's free salvation Grant us, Jesus, when in blindness Groping, fumbling, lost in sin Grant to us Your loving-kindness Light ...

Lent 2 – February 20th, 2005 John 4:5-42 “More than Small-Talk” I. Introduction – Smalltalk – commenting on the weather, inquiring about the wife and kids, “how ‘bout them Packers” and such. There have even been books written on the fine art of small-talk. But it’s something most of us do without thinking. But then, sometimes small talk gets bigger. Most of us have also had a conversation or two, which we might call pretty “deep”. Maybe it was a late night heart-to-heart, or a long car-ride somewhere. Maybe it started with something common enough, but ended up with ultimate questions like, “where is my life going?” “what is really important here?” “what’s the meaning of it all?” Oh the turns and twists of conversation… as John walks us through Jesus’ dialogue with the Samaritan woman. As we reflect on this important conversation, we might ask what Jesus is also saying to us, this morning. II. From Water to Living Water I suppose you could say, it started out with small-talk. J...

"Jesus Came to Jacob's Well" Tune: Liebster Jesu (LW 226 "Dearest Jesus, We are Here") Jesus came to Jacob's well Thirst had brought Him, water seeking Resting there for just a spell Still He did not stop from speaking Though He asked for water from her He came yet with more to offer Strange to her that He would speak He a man from yonder Jew'ry Why would converse so He seek? Still His words convicted truly How He spoke of water living, Water soon He would be giving. Jesus knew her, knew her sin That she was not married rightly Jesus showed, to her chagrin God does not take sinning lightly Yet, now, with her conscience shaken Thirst for grace He had awakened. Then the flood of mercy came To the well upon the mountain Living water, in His name He the source, and he the fountain He the Christ, bestowing favor He declared himself the Savior. Lord grant us who also thirst Living water, welling in us By your word, a fountain burst Cleanse, relieve, refresh an...

Lent 1, February 13th, 2005 Matthew 4:1-11 “The Word Can Fell Him” I. Introduction – The Season of Lent has begun. And as if someone has dimmed the liturgical lights, the mood of our worship, the tone of our services now changes. Lent is a time of reflection, penitence, sobriety, and meditation – especially on the more serious aspects of our faith. Lent sets its sites on the cross, and the suffering and death of Christ. In Lent, we “hold our breath” in a way, singing no Alleluias, reserving them until our celebration of Easter joy. As we begin our 40 day pilgrimage to Calvary’s cross, our journey begins by recalling Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness. There, while fasting, Jesus was hounded by the Devil. Perhaps a familiar event to many of us, but worth reflection, as this event in Christ’s life reminds us not only of the reality of evil and the Devil, but also that Christ has defeated the enemy on our behalf! II. Devilish Deeds The Devil is real. Though even many Christians ha...

A pastor friend of mine sent this to me. Just a little jest at Calvinism's expense: Jesus Loves Me A Calvanist Rendition Jesus loves me! This I know For Election tells me so Sovereign God loves me so well, Too bad He wants you in hell! Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me Maybe He loves me I hope He loves me I guess I’ll never know! Jesus loves me! I can sin While the Spirit stays within Christ has triumphed, this is true Died for me but not for you Refrain Jesus loves me! Who is He? Sovereign God is all I see From eternity to damn Am I Jesus’ little lamb? Refrain Jesus loves me! So they say I’ll find out on Judgment Day Every man is all depraved… Holy Cow! I hope I’m saved! Refrain Jesus drove me to despair I can’t find Him anywhere Guess I’ll pray to someone new Tell me, what would Buddha do?

Here is a photo I took at Mound Cemetery recently.

"Lord Jesus, By the Spirit Led" Tune: "Nun freut euch" (LW 387 "Dear Christians One and All Rejoice") Lord Jesus by the Spirit led From Jordan to Judean wild. While fasting, praying, You were met By Satan and his devil'ish guile. A contest like no other one- The Tempter versus God's own Son- Our ancient foe assailed You! "If you are Son of God indeed Command these stones to become bread, Your hungry body so to feed." But Jesus turned to him and said, "Man does not live by bread alone, I will not so command the stone, God's Word is all that's needed." Then from the Temple's highest height The Serpent tempted him anew, "I dare You jump and take Your flight The angels will protect You." Once more Christ's answer was the best: "You shall not put the Lord to test, For thus it has been written." The final challenge he would bring "If You would only worship me... O'er this world I will make ...

The following is a piece I wrote for "Higher Things" Magazine. It appears in the Winter 2004 issue. Their website is: http://www.higherthings.org/Default.asp Light on the Lingo? Bling-Bling – \BLING BLING\ noun - def. 1. jewelry such as silver, platinum, or diamonds, gold. 2. extremely expensive style of clothes, cars, general life-style; something “flashy”. Not a “church word”, but fun to say. Have you noticed certain words are used in certain circles? The words you use with your parents are different than you might use with your friends. And those words are not the same you would use with your baby brother. The same is true for church. Many of the words we use in church aren’t used a lot outside of Sunday morning, but don’t let that scare you off! Here’s a handy Lutheran Lexicon for the “terminologically challenged”. Absolution - Forgiveness. Offered by the pastor “in the stead…” (in the place of) “and by the command…” of Jesus. Confession...