Sermon - The Day of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-21

 

“The Pentecost of Jesus Christ”

When I was a young pastor and knew everything, or at least thought I did, I liked to make the point that Pentecost was an important day because we highlight the Holy Spirit, and that it’s only right and good to do since he’s sort of the forgotten person of the Holy Trinity.  As if he’s the afterthought or something.  And so it’s good that we have a whole day to ponder him and his work and his importance.

And of course I wasn’t entirely wrong, but as I’ve matured in my thinking and understanding I’d have to say I missed a major point in those early days – that the Holy Spirit is all about Jesus!  That the Holy Spirit’s main work is to bring us to Christ, testify to Christ, create faith in Christ, and sustain the church in Christ.  He is the Spirit of Christ.  He is sent by Christ.  He doesn’t speak on his own authority but only what he hears from Christ. 

And so we don’t want to shove a wedge between Jesus and the Holy Spirit, as if have 2 completely different agendas, or as if they are the main characters in different acts of this grand theater called the Bible.  Yes, there are three Persons.  But so, too, there is also only one God. 

And so the celebration of Pentecost is an observation that is rich in Jesus, even as we think of the Spirit especially today.

Take our reading from Acts.  There we see a number of eyebrow-raising and attention-capturing details.  The mighty rushing wind.  The tongues of flame on the disciples’ heads.  The miraculous speaking in tongues.  Quite a feast for the senses.  And yet there is purpose in it – a purpose very consistent with the word and work of Jesus Christ. 

To set the scene – Jerusalem had once again swelled in population for one of the 3 great annual feasts.  Passover has passed – that was 50 days ago – and God had used that feast as the backdrop for the events of Holy Week and Easter, so central to the faith of his people.  Now, the next feast is also an occasion for God’s great plan to move forward, and for the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, to be proclaimed.

Jews and converts to Judaism (called proselytes) from many nations had descended upon Jerusalem for the “Feast of Weeks” – Seven weeks of seven – or 49 days after the Passover.  It commemorated the arrival of the Israelites after the same amount of time traveling from Egypt to Mt. Sinai. 

And so Moses is sort of running in the background here.  But at Sinai there was one nation, and at Pentecost the many nations become one in Christ.  The confusion of languages and the separating of peoples at Babel is now reversed in Christ, as the languages are a barrier no more, and as the people become united with him and therefore each other in this holy nation called the Church.

The Feast of Weeks is also a sort of first-fruits harvest festival, and coincided with the harvest of wheat.  An offering of those first fruits would have been made at that time.  It’s no accident that the first-fruits of the harvest of Christ is seen on this day.  And really, all of us Christians, are a kind of first-fruits of the final harvest that is to come on the last day.

The plan is genius, really, no, rather it is divine.  That Christ would choose a time with all these people from so many far-flung places are now present.  When they all come together – he sends his Spirit to empower his disciples to preach to them the Good News.  And he makes sure they understand it each in their own language!  That’s the purpose of speaking in tongues – the transmission of the Gospel!  That’s what the Holy Spirit is always about!  The word of God – and the good news of Jesus Christ.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus teaches us that the Spirit is coming to convict the world regarding sin, righteousness and judgment.  Well the world has come, in a way, to the doorstep of Jerusalem at Pentecost.  And so let the convicting by the Spirit begin.

Convict – it means to rebuke or expose or declare the guilt of someone.  The Spirit certainly does that – in regard to sin, as he applies the law to the hearts and minds of sinners and shows us all how rotten we are.  The Spirit says, “Love God with all your heart” and you are convicted because you clearly don’t.  The Spirit says, “Love your neighbor” and you must face how much you fail your neighbor.  Any conscience captive to the Word of God is also subject to the Spirit’s conviction – that we sin and are sinners, and that this problem is beyond our own powers to resolve.

Concerning righteousness – it is the Spirit that convicts the world that Christ alone is righteous.  Therefore when our own righteousness is shown to be false and a total sham – we can look only to Christ the righteous one.

And likewise, the ruler of this world stands convicted, and will face the judgment.  The Holy Spirit re-orients us to the true ruler of this and all worlds, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

The Spirit would have you turn from sin, and self-righteousness, and the power of the devil – and turn to Jesus Christ and live.  

Those who heard the Spirit through the preaching of St. Peter on that first Pentecost were cut to the heart, repented, believed, were baptized and saved.   The Spirit convicted them, and called them to faith in Christ.

And so for us.  Here we are – a gathering of pilgrims from all different walks of life.  Maybe we don’t come from Phrygia and Pamphylia, Pontus and Asia.  But we are a fairly mixed bunch of young and old, with varying incomes and levels of education, some lifelong Lutherans and some new even to Christianity.  We come from Texas, but also from many other places.  We have different ethnic backgrounds and we don’t all look the same.  But here we are united in Christ, by His Spirit.  Here we are one, according to his word.  Here there is no distinction – all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – and all are equally justified freely by his grace in Christ Jesus.

And here the Spirit unites us in the fellowship of all the saints, of every tribe, nation, people and language.  Here we even add our song to that of angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.  Because all are one in Christ.  He is the head, and we are the body – a united body, though many members.

And just as those Pentecost Pilgrims surely returned home and shared the Good News of Jesus and their faith in him – and surely the Spirit worked through that witness as well.  So also does the Spirit work in is, through us, sometimes even in spite of us – as we go forth into our callings and places in life apart from here.

The same Spirit who guided them into the truth of Jesus Christ also guides us into that everlasting truth.  The same Spirit who empowered them to speak of Jesus also empowers the church today to continue preaching Jesus Christ crucified for sinners, and believing in Jesus.

Of course the prophets foretold of all this.  And Peter quotes the prophet Joel in his defense of the Spirit’s miracle that day.  These men aren’t drunk, as the scoffers suggested in their mockery.  But what is poured out is far greater than wine.  This is the Spirit of God – poured out on all people, young and old, male and female, so that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  The name of Jesus, that is.

On this Day of Pentecost, fret not that the Holy Spirit doesn’t get a fair shake.  For he is intent that you would see Christ.  The Spirit will show you your sin and your need for Christ, and then he’ll guide you into the truth of Christ – to see all that Christ has done for you.  To receive his good gifts in faith, and with joy.  To treasure your baptismal grace.  To hunger and thirst for the righteousness that comes from his Holy Meal.  And to ever listen keenly for the voice of the Spirit, speaking in the Word, testifying to Jesus Christ.

Sermon - Easter 7 - John 17:12-19

John 17 is known widely as the “Great High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus.  It is part of the long “upper room” discourse, which John places on Maundy Thursday.

In this chapter, which is really the longest prayer of Jesus recorded for us in Scripture, Jesus prays concerning himself, his disciples, and finally all believers.  He prays for glory, unity, and truth. 

Certainly Jesus is ever our Great High Priest, as one of the main duties of a priest is to pray for the people, on behalf of the people.  Jesus does this, especially now as he is ascended.  But we get a foretaste of it on Maundy Thursday.

And if a pastor could give homework assignments, I’d have you all read and study the entire chapter of John 17, to see the whole prayer of Jesus.  But for now, let’s consider each of the 7 verses of this prayer the lectionary sets before us today.

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given  me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 

Jesus reflects on his time teaching his disciples, for whom he is praying.  He knows he is about to be separated from them.  He knows he will be arrested, and they will scatter in fear.  He even knows that only Judas will be lost, the “son of destruction”, to fulfill scripture. 

Jesus knows he is coming to the Father.  The cross looms before him.  Soon he will commit his spirit into the Father’s hands, and face death head-on.  But his concern is not for himself, but for his beloved disciples.  He has kept them in the Father’s name – kept them from harm, kept them from disbelief, kept them from the clutches of the enemy.  So far so good.  But now the true test comes, and Jesus prays for them all the more.

The same Jesus who kept his beloved apostles keeps you, his dear children.  The same Jesus who faced the cross for them, does so for you.  The same Jesus who prays for them, prays for you, intercedes for you with the Father.

He continues…  13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 

He speaks in the world – with a purpose in mind – that his disciples may have his joy fulfilled in themselves. 

The words of Jesus, the words he speaks in this world, the words that are recorded and recited, taught and preached… and believed – these words bring a fulfillment of joy to his disciples.

Jesus doesn’t want the Christian faith to be a drudgery for his people.  Though, sadly, we often make it so.  While it’s not his intention to make us miserable, he does tell us there will be crosses to bear.  However he also promises joy.  And it is his joy – not our own.  And it is to be fulfilled in us because of his words. 

The word of Christ brings joy!  The good news of Jesus – that your sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus shed for you – brings joy!  That nothing you can do can earn or complete or effect your salvation – but that Jesus has done it all – what a joy!  And the more we are steeped in this word of Jesus and good news – the more his joy if fulfilled in us.

Jesus goes on… 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because       they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

A word of warning that also strangely brings comfort here.  Even as he prays to the Father Jesus must know we are listening in.  He knows that even though he has given his people his word – the world will hate them.  It will hate us because we are of Christ, and not of the world.  And just as the world hated Jesus, the world hates his people.  Don’t take it personally!  Don’t be surprised!  Don’t act like the world is supposed to love and embrace us Christians when the same sort of people crucified the Son of God. 

And so you need Jesus’ prayer.  You need the Father’s provision and protection.  You need the Spirit to keep you faithful when faith is under fire.  The world hasn’t gotten any friendlier to Christ and Christians.  And it never will.  But God is faithful and will bear you up under such testing and persecution.

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

One solution might be to just have us Christians taken out of the world.  To put us in some kind of bubble so that we don’t even have to interact with the non-Christians, the unbelievers.  Or translate us immediately to heaven and away from this vale of tears.  Or something, Lord, just so we don’t have to face all these enemies!

But that’s not Jesus’ prayer.  That’s not his solution.  He says, “Father, don’t take them out of the world.  Keep them in the world.  And while they’re here, keep them from the evil one.”

Don’t let the devil have his way!  And what does the devil want?  But to drive us from the faith.  To put a wedge between us and our God.  To deceive us, drive us to despair, tempt us into great sin or other vice, so that we turn away from Christ and that makes us his. 

But Jesus prays, “keep them”.  Such a simple request.  It echoes the Aaronic blessing we receive so regularly:  the Lord bless you and keep you.  Keep us, Lord, we pray, in Christ, according to his prayer, and in his name.

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

Jesus and his people are alike – they are not of the world.  He is not of the world – though he was in it for a time.  Though he took on human flesh, was born of a woman, lived, breathed, ate, drank, walked, talked, cried, slept and suffered and died.  So like us in every way, yet without sin.

Yet we are like him, in that he has made us not of this world.  Though you are in the world for a time, you are ultimately not of it – anymore than Jesus is.  For he has made us citizens of heaven, children of God, a royal and holy priesthood with a future resurrection and an eternal dwelling being prepared for us. 

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 

To sanctify, to make holy – means to set apart.  Set apart for a purpose.  Set apart from the world.  Christians, sanctified by the truth, are set apart from the world by that very truth.  And the purpose is as follows:

18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 

Sent into the world – Jesus was sent to save.  The disciples are sent to preach and spread the good news even to the ends of the earth.  And you and I are sent into our vocations with that same witness of Jesus.  Wherever God has placed you or sent you, in homes and amidst families, in workplaces and with friends.  You, Christian, are set apart and sanctified by the truth.  You, Christian, are called to live in faith and give answer for the hope that is within you. 

19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

To consecrate means to sanctify, that is to make holy.  But it doesn’t mean to make without sin, for Jesus already is without sin.  We can consecrate people as well as things – like a new communion flagon – by setting them apart for a special purpose. 

Jesus consecrates himself, and is set apart as the substitute for all mankind, in his perfect life and sacrificial death.  He is therefore sanctified or consecrated for us – for our sake.  That we would be set apart from the world, set apart in him, sanctified for an eternal inheritance in Christ, consecrated by the truth of his word.

Thanks be to God for our great High Priest who not only gives us the example of prayer, who not only forgives our sins and our lacking and flawed prayers, but who also, even now, prays for us.

So Jesus prays, and so God the Father answers his prayer. 

 

 

Sermon - Ascension Day - Acts 1:1-11

Acts 1:1-11

Our Lord Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven.  And this event is of no small significance for the Christian church.  It is part of our creeds.  St. Luke writes about it twice – once in his Gospel and then again in the Book of Acts.  But it is also something that is of great importance to you, as an individual Christian.  Far from being some dusty old dogma about some minor miracle Jesus once did among so many others – the Ascension is deeply connected to his resurrection, to his promised return in glory, and even to his present comfort for you today in the Lord’s Supper.

Today I’d like to take a more doctrinal treatment of the Ascension than to slavishly follow any one of the texts.  We will raise and examine a number of different implications for Christ’s ascension, a survey, if you will, of how this teaching of Scripture brings us great comfort.

We confess that Christ has ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father.  But this doesn’t imply that Jesus is “sitting around”, as if he were doing nothing, like I do in my living room on Sunday afternoons.  The right hand of the Father is less a place but a position.  It is the place of highest honor and glory.  Even the cloud that obscured him from their sight hints at this – for we often see clouds, as in Exodus, obscuring the unbearable sight of God’s glory.  This Jesus, who for a time, set aside the full exercise of his divine rights, now takes them back.  This Jesus who, for a time, entered a state of humiliation, now completes his exaltation and returns to his rightful status.  This Jesus, with his name above all names, now sits on high – higher than any other throne or rule or power.

Christ’s power stands in contrast to ours.  We sinners wield our pitiful powers for selfish purposes.  We seek power over others for our own ends.  We are always clawing and clamoring for more power, prestige, and any advantage we can get in the world – so that we can get our way (and that way is usually pretty twisted).  Sure we rationalize our power seeking and power exerting – but it’s usually just another expression of our sinful nature at work.  Trying to put ourselves in the place of God, rather than loving our neighbor as we ought.

But Jesus – the one who rightfully has the power – all power – everything is under his feet – he uses his power in the most benevolent ways.  He gives and gives and gives.  Just as he gave his life on the cross as a ransom for many, so he gives of his mighty power - blessings to all people. 

It is a mystery, in many ways, exactly how he exercises this power.  We have some clues, and some precious promises though.  We know that he’s working all things together for good for those who love him.  We know that he gives daily bread, even to the wicked.  We know that nations rise, kingdoms fall, but none without his permission.  He is the giver of all good things.  But the promises of blessing found in the means of grace are his highest gifts – forgiveness of sins, life and salvation – found in Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, Holy Absolution. 

And finally, we’d be remiss not to mention Christ sending forth his Holy Spirit, who works through the Word, to convict and comfort, to accuse and to justify, to kill with the letter, but by the Gospel, to give life!  This, of course, happened spectacularly at Pentecost, as Peter preached in Acts 2:

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 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.

That same Spirit who miraculously empowered the speech of the disciples at Pentecost also empowers the preaching of the Gospel today, and equips the church with pastors and teachers and missionaries, that all nations may continue to hear the wondrous works of God proclaimed to them.  The Spirit of Christ is still sent forth from the ascended and reigning Christ!

Some might say that the Ascension is a sort of a going-away party for Jesus.  That it is bittersweet, at least, for so many of our goodbyes and partings are such sweet sorrow.  Certainly we can’t see Jesus any longer.  We can’t touch his wounded hands and side.  We can’t eat and drink with him like the disciples did during those 40 days after his resurrection.

But here is one of those blessed paradoxes of the Christian faith:  Though he is gone from sight, he is nearer than ever.  Though it appears he is nowhere, yet he is everywhere.  And not just everywhere, but he also locates himself in special ways by promised means.  He puts himself in the water and word, and bread and wine, and in the preaching and teaching – in the midst of Christians wherever they gather 2 or 3 in his name.  Thus he speaks truth when he says, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. 

Jesus is not MIA.  He’s not on holiday.  He’s not Elvis who’s left the building and left us to our own devices.  He is present, in churches and homes all over the world, where Christians gather around his word.  He is with you always, individually, you are so near and connected to him by baptism you have even been buried and raised with him.  He is present, according to his promise, in the Holy Sacrament, for the forgiveness of sins.  There indeed we can eat and drink with, or rather of - the resurrected Christ – bodily present.  There at his meal we see him with the eyes of faith, and taste and see that the Lord is good.

What else is Christ busy doing at the right hand of God?  Interceding for us!  He is the great go-between, who speaks to the Father on our behalf.  This is his High Priestly role, representing us to God the Father – but from the best spot, the closest seat.  You might imagine him leaning over and saying to the Father, “This one’s with me.”

And one final thing we can say – something that is taught to us by Jesus’ Ascension – from the words of the two angels who there appeared.  This Jesus will return.  He will return the same way you have seen him depart. 

Christ who once ascended into the heavens and was obscured by a cloud will return again – visibly – all eyes will see him as he comes in the clouds with great glory, with the shout of the archangel and the trumpet call of God.  His Ascension, then, is a kind of deep breath a powerful singer might inhale before he exhales the crescendo and climax of the solo.  What goes up, must come down, we say.  And with Christ, it is also true.  He who ascended will descend once more – for judgment, for victory, to usher in the kingdom of glory that will have no end.

But like the disciples, we too are urged not to stand around staring at the sky.  They had things to do.  So do we.  They returned to Jerusalem – waiting for the fulfillment of his promise that they would receive power from on high.  And while they waited, they worshipped with joy.  So do we.  Worship of the ascended Christ is central to all the church is and does.  To gather in his house, around his word, receive his gifts, to call on his name, pray, praise, and give thanks.  While we wait for his return in glory, the church ever worships Christ in a ceaseless and joyful liturgy.

He promised them “power from on high”!  Of course, that’s the Holy Spirit, which the ascended Jesus also pours out on his church from his heavenly throne.  It happened in a special way at Pentecost, but he continues to send forth the Spirit who lives and breathes in and on the church to this day.  We, too, receive power from on high – power for the preaching of his word, for the administration of his sacraments, power to forgive and be forgiven, to love one another as he has loved us. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ has ascended to the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.  Until then, he remains in his rightful position of king over all things.  He rules heaven and earth for the good of his church, and of you.  He is not gone, but ever-present, in the word, in the sacrament, wherever 2 or 3 gather in his name.  And he will return in glory, coming in the clouds with the heavenly host in tow.  A blessed Ascension day to you, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sermon - Easter 6 - 1 John 5:6-8

1 John 5:6-8

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

Water, Blood and Spirit

In this Easter season we’ve been enjoying a series of readings from 1 John.  The Apostle John’s letters, like his Gospel, and also the book of Revelation in which he writes his great vision, are all very sublime.  His meditative language uses small words and simple concepts to grand effect.  In John we read about the word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  He speaks at length about light and life and truth and flesh and spirit. In John’s Gospel Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, the Good Shepherd, the resurrection and the life.  He contrasts light and darkness, the children of God and the wicked world that hates Christ.  He invites us to ponder.  Simple ideas.  Profound meaning.

Today three key words come to the forefront: Water, blood and spirit.  And John says these three all agree in their testimony.  There is a deep connection between the three.  But what does he mean by each?  And what exactly do they agree upon?  And what does that have to do with you and me?

Let’s take them in order.  First the water.  Scripture is full of stories about water, from the very beginning of creation when the Spirit hovered over the formless waters.  The waters of the flood cleansed the world.  The waters were turned to blood and then parted by God’s hand as his people escaped from Egypt.  The water came from the rock in the desert to quench their thirst.  And they again crossed waters entering the Promised Land, when the Jordan River piled up in a heap.  The waters of rain would come or hold back at God’s command.  Namaan the Syrian would be baptized in the Jordan and cleansed of leprosy.  And when Jesus came, he also was baptized by John.  Jesus, who also sent his disciples to baptize and teach.

And so water, in Scripture, serves first of all to sustain life, as no life can exist without it.  And secondly, it is used to cleanse – most especially in baptism, which so many of these other stories prefigure.  A Christian who hears a scriptural reference to water naturally thinks of baptism, of that flood of blessings that God bestows on us as we are born anew at the font.

This is he – Jesus – who came by water and blood.  By the water of his own baptism Jesus comes to us as the Christ – publicly – for the first time.  There John testified that this Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world.  There the Spirit also testified by descending on Christ as a dove.  He came to the world as Christ in his baptism – that he might redeem the world by the blood of his cross.

But he also comes to you by the water – of your baptism.  But not just way back then, whenever it was.  That baptismal water continues to flow in a never-ending stream of mercy through your life.  When you return to those waters in repentance and faith, forgiveness in Christ springs anew.  This water that testifies to Christ – this water by which Christ comes to you – is a font of blessing.

Water, yes, but also blood.  Blood we don’t see as often, do we, at least we hope so.  Blood is not a welcome sight.  It makes some people queasy.  Some even faint.  Blood means some sort of injury or violence has occurred.  Something is wrong.  Someone’s in trouble.

Blood being shed means death, and it’s a therefore a very outward sign of sin.  Blood testifies to us of the wages of sin – the due and just consequence of our evil deeds and words and thoughts. 

Blood flows throughout the Bible as well.  It’s a blood-soaked book.  We first see it when God sheds the blood of animals, to provide garments of skin to cover Adam and Eve’s naked shame.  But sin wouldn’t end there, and with the blood of Abel, shed by brother Cain, we see that human blood will flow.  We see it in the warring cities and nations.  In the murderous heart of man.  Even the great and holy figures have blood on their hands:  Moses kills an Egyptian.  David kills Uriah the Hittite. 

But again God uses the blood of animals to deal with the blood-guilt of man.  He establishes an entire system of sacrifice by which the blood of sheep and goats and bulls and birds is shed – to make satisfaction for sin.  All this blood for all those years.  A sea of red that flowed and crested as it moved toward its fulfillment in the final sacrifice, the once-and-for-all sacrifice, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish, Jesus Christ.  All those animal sacrifices for sin were only any good inasmuch as they found their fulfillment in him, and in his blood.

The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.  Abel’s blood cried for vengeance, but the blood of Jesus, for our pardon cries.

The blood of Jesus testifies before God that sin has been paid for, atonement has been made, satisfaction, propitiation.  The shepherd has taken the place of the sheep, a substitute of nobler name and richer blood than they.

The blood of Jesus – that he gives us, along with his body, as a new testament – for the forgiveness of sins.  That blood of Jesus which we take and drink even today.

Water and blood – that’s what issued from his pierced side.  John saw it and testified.  And the water and the blood agree.  Baptism and Supper agree.  And by the sacraments that issue forth from Christ, by the water and the blood, the church is established and sustained.  Just as Eve came forth from the side of Adam when God formed her from his rib, so is the Holy Church – the bride of Christ - brought forth from the side of Christ, in water and blood.

Water, blood, and don’t forget the Spirit.  These three all testify and agree.  These three lead us to Christ, show us Christ, and deliver Christ to us.  So how does the Spirit come in?  As he always does – in the word.

We spoke of this a little bit last week as we considered John’s advice to “test the spirits”.  And we mentioned how the Holy Spirit, the source of truth, the one who inspires his written word – is also the one that testifies to us of Christ.  And that the false prophet preaches anti-christ.

Listen to these words from Dr. Luther as he preached on John 15, very near to our Gospel reading for today, about this very thing – how the Spirit works in the word to show us Christ:

“Christ says very definitely, the Holy Spirit will witness of me, of me and not of someone else. Beyond this witness of the Holy Spirit about Christ there is no sure and abiding comfort. That is why one should write the words ‘of me’ with capital letters and diligently remember them. For of this we may be certain, that the Holy Spirit promotes no other doctrine, preaches neither Moses nor other laws whereby to comfort the conscience. If the conscience is to be comforted, it can only be by the preaching of Christ’s death and resurrection – this alone comforts…

“No one in need of comfort, therefore, should wait until the Holy Spirit in all his majesty speaks to him personally from heaven. For the Holy Spirit carries out his witness publicly in the sermon. That is where you must seek and await him, till the word which you hear with your ears witnesses inwardly of Christ in your heart. But such inward witness does not come about until the external, spoken witness of the Word is heard which tells that Christ became man, was crucified, died, and rose again for our sakes.”

Friends if you want to see Christ, know Christ, receive Christ – then look to the water, the blood and the Spirit.  For these three agree.  These three testify to Christ, show us Christ, and deliver us all the blessings of Christ.  Remember your baptism.  Receive his supper.  Hear his Spirit in his word.  Here, in the three that testify and agree – you will find comfort, peace, life, forgiveness, and all the blessings of heaven.

 

Sermon - Easter 5 - 1 John 4:1-11

Testing the Spirits

1 John 4:1–11

Let’s consider John’s advice this morning that we should “Test the Spirits”.

First, we need to understand that when he says “spirits” here, he doesn’t mean “ghosts”, but rather sources of truth. 

For Christians, the Holy Spirit is the source of truth – the one who inspires the written word of God.  If you want to know what the Holy Spirit has to say, you simply look to the Scriptures.  He is the Spirit of Christ, and will never contradict Christ, but points us to Christ, extols Christ,  Likewise Jesus is one with the Father, and takes what the Father gives him and declares it to us.

The problem is, there are many other “spirits” running around, with many claims – many false claims – trying to deceive us.  False prophets teaching false gospels and false ideas as truth.  There are liars of every sort and ilk, and even in the Christian church, yes, even claiming to speak for Christ!

One false claim that has held much sway in our times is the teaching of postmodernism – the self-refuting claim that there is no such thing as truth, but only YOUR truth and MY truth and someone else’s truth.  Applied to morality, this thinking makes plenty of wiggle room for you to justify almost any sin.  Oh, you want to live together outside of marriage?  Well, it’s ok if you love each other.  Oh, you want to end your pregnancy?  Well it’s your body, your choice.  Oh, you want to end your own life?  Well who am I to tell you that isn’t a good idea?

We have so radicalized our ideas of self-determination that even the truth of one’s biology is now subject to the whims of how you feel, even at the moment – what gender would you like to be today?  Oh, 2 genders is too limiting for you?  Let’s invent some more…  And on it goes – disconnected from reality.

But let’s not just pick on the low-hanging fruit, the easy to see and most egregious examples of the lies we are being fed, and consider the lies we Christians tell ourselves.  The lies we don’t even need a false prophet to preach, because we preach them to ourselves in the quiet of our heads.

This sin doesn’t really matter.  It doesn’t hurt anyone.  Everyone does it.  I’m worth it.  I deserve it.  No one will find out. 

This sin isn’t really a big deal and of course God only cares about the big sins.  And that person’s sin is far worse than mine so I must be ok.  I don’t need to repent of this sin.  Or I’ll set it up so that I can keep repenting but then keep sinning.  Thanks, God, for making it so convenient for me. 

And while these are lies we tell ourselves, of course they are also of the devil, the Father of Lies.  The original spirit of lies, the false prophet of false prophets.  His lies, when it comes to God, are generally of two sorts:  Sometimes he will minimize sin, and sometimes he will maximize it.

When he minimizes sin, he gets you to believe your sin isn’t that serious.  “It’s no big deal.  Just one little bite of an apple, and look how much good it will bring you!  See, sin is really a good thing!  It’s not something you really need to avoid.  God won’t punish you for it.  You will not die.  No need to fuss with all those commandments – too much work.  Set your own rules.  Be your own boss.  You know what’s right for you.  Leave all this sin-talk behind.” 

And if sin isn’t so serious, then who needs Jesus, anyway?  What do I want with forgiveness?  Who goes to see the doctor when they’re the picture of health?

Ah, but on the other hand, the devil can try to maximize your sins.  Amplify and magnify them, make them seem so big, so bad, that even God can’t forgive them.  This is why we call him the Accuser (Satan).  He knows how to stick his pointing finger into your wounded conscience and twist it around.  He knows how to keep bringing to your mind the sins that God has already forgiven.  He weaves his doubts about it any which way he can.  He asks, “Did God really say…..?” 

Don’t believe the lies, Christian.  Test the spirits.  Yes, your sins are many, and they are serious.  But Jesus Christ has paid the price for sin – all sin – even yours – even the big ones!  So when he says you stand forgiven, when his word says you are forgiven – believe it!

Now, John gives us a major clue in our task of testing the spirits.  If a prophet or a preacher or someone claiming to speak truth comes around and denies Jesus Christ has come in the flesh – that spirit is anti-Christ.  In other words, what one teaches about Jesus Christ is a major litmus test of what kind of spirit we are dealing with.  Is it the Spirit of Christ or a false and misleading spirit – a spirit that is anti-Christ?

Any prophet who claims Jesus isn’t the eternal Son of God is telling lies.  Any preacher who claims Jesus didn’t die for the sins of the world is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Any pastor who points you to your own merit or worthiness rather than to Christ and his cross is just a bad pastor.

But God does give you prophets, pastors, teachers, preachers, apostles, and all manner of servants to guide you in his word.  Contrary to the false prophet, the true prophet speaks truthfully, and points you to Christ crucified for you.  A true prophet doesn’t stray from the Word of God, but adheres to it, that you may abide in Jesus, your Savior.

And you, the people of God, are called to test the spirits.  That goes even for the words that issue from this pulpit.  And while it is good to be able to trust your preacher to be faithful and not lead the flock astray, it is also good the people of God keep him honest, keep him from going astray, and hold him accountable to the very word that he has sworn to uphold and proclaim.

But that also assumes you know the word of God you will be using as the standard of testing. 

That word for testing in the Greek evokes the process of testing coins to see which is counterfeit and which is genuine.  It’s sometimes translated as “examining” or “proving”, as in, “proving to be genuine”.

I was once told that when U.S. government officials, say at the Mint, are trained to spot counterfeit money, they actually don’t spend much time studying the fake dollar bills or the many signs of a fraud.  Rather, they spend countless hours studying the real thing - every detail, every feature of the genuine money.  And knowing it so well, like the back of your own hand, is what truly empowers them to spot a fraud. 

So it is with Scripture, and with the Gospel.  You are trained to “test the Spirits” by your study of the word, by your hearing it proclaimed regularly. When you are fed a rich diet of the Word of God, and when you are soaked in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, when you abide in him – stay connected to him, the True Vine, by means of his word and regularly receiving his sacrament.

And we see with the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch today – another example of this.  Here was a man, a God-fearing gentile, who studied the scriptures earnestly.  And yet he had questions, and needed instruction.  The Spirit brought Phillip to the Eunuch, to teach in him the scriptures, beginning with that Isaiah passage, and showing him throughout the whole Old Testament – and connecting it all to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  So the Eunuch received that good news with joy, and was even baptized.  He tested the spirits – and by God’s grace found the truth in Jesus Christ – to his own salvation.

Today, God also provides his people with teachers and preachers to help us in our own study of the word – resources to help us delve deeper and see Christ more clearly.  And so we give thanks and pray that God will continue to supply us with faithful pastors for the church.  And we pray that the church would make use of this word and this teaching!  Read and hear, learn and grow and study, and abide in his word.

So today and always, Christians, test the spirits – pay attention to the word of truth, and you will know the false prophet.  In the end, there are only two alternatives – the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.  Christ or the antichrist. There are those who are children of the world, and us who are the children of God.  There are the branches that stay connected to the vine, and those who separate from him.  Abiding in him we bear much fruit.  Apart from him we can do nothing.  Abide in Jesus, and in his word, and live.

Amen.