Sermon - Lent 3 - Ephesians 5:8-14

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 the Epistle reading from Ephesians, to see how Paul uses this thing called light to show God’s goodness and mercy in Jesus Christ. We will see at least three ways in which the metaphor of light sheds light on our understanding of Jesus, the Light of the World.

II. What You Were, What You Are

First, Light is descriptive of you and me – us believers!
Sometimes scripture speaks of us being in the light, or seeing the light, or walking in the light. But here Paul says the believer IS light. And that before we were light we WERE darkness. It’s a strong metaphor. And it evokes that universal association of light with all that is good, and darkness with all that is evil.

Why are children (and some adults) afraid of the dark? Why do we speak ominously about “things that go bump in the night”? Something in us seems to associate the bad, the evil, with darkness. Even non-Christians “get” this.

But how clearly do we see that we are born AS darkness. Like the man born blind in our Gospel reading, only not physical but spiritual blindness. Are we blind, or do we see our own sinfulness. Are we spiritually blind, like the Pharisees, to how deep and sore our rebellion against God goes.

Paul says that we were not just once under darkness, or in some shadow. He doesn’t say we were kind of dim, or just not so bright. He doesn’t say we were illumination-challenged. We were darkness. Implying that our whole nature was corrupt, violent, evil, selfish, tainted, tarnished, broken, and devoid of any hint of goodness or light whatsoever. This is what sin looks like. And it is not pretty.

But that is a past tense statement. “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord”. Not in ourselves, but in the Lord, everything changes. We go from dark to light, from bad to good, from wicked to holy, from having nothing to having everything, from poor to rich, from death to life, from hell to heaven, from sin to righteousness… and we could go on… But the point is the strong contrast between where we were on our own, and where God has brought us through Christ our Lord. It’s as different as night and day, darkness and light.

III. Light That Exposes, Light That Blinds

Paul talks about the deeds of darkness. Those shameful things that are done in secret, in the dark. Evil that is done in darkness, perhaps because the doer knows it is sinful, and doesn’t want to be exposed. Maybe that’s why it seems more evil is done in the dark of night – robberies, murders, prostitution, drugs. Maybe the cover of darkness gives some a sense that their deeds will be hidden (though it also seems people are becoming more bold about sinning in the light of day). But no amount of darkness can hide sin from the all-knowing righteous judges. He knows what we do in secret. He knows even our sinful thoughts. And He does not turn a blind eye to such things.

Paul says to expose such deeds of darkness, and to bring light to bear upon them. But does that mean we are to run around pointing out the secret sins of others? Well, sometimes a sin must be called a sin. But my sense here is now that Paul means exposing the sins of our own life. Just as Jesus would warn us about the log in our own eye before we inspect our neighbor’s for specks. So too, the idea here seems to be light shed on our own lives first – and that light is the light of God’s word.

It’s a light that exposes our sins – the light of His law. No more are they hidden, when we understand the true depth of what God expects from us according to his law – perfection – we have no wiggle room left. There is no dark corner into which we can retreat with our sins. They are exposed. We are exposed. And our need for forgiveness becomes crystal clear.

Of course, sometimes, that same light is so bright, it brings blindness. As a child, I was always warned not to look right at the sun, or directly into a bright light – that I could go blind. Of course, what does that make you want to try and do? So I did it… and temporarily, at least, you can’t see. Or in the middle of the night, if suddenly someone were to flip on the bedroom light – your eyes would squint as they try to adjust, maybe you wouldn’t see so well at first.

When the light of God’s law is shined on sinners, it is sometimes the same. Here, the Pharisees in our Gospel reading were blinded by the light of Christ. So full of themselves, so convinced of their self-righteousness, they were blind to the real sin. Their eyes were completely adjusted to the darkness. And when the light of the law was shined upon them, it only blinded them more.

IV. Light That Awakens From Death

But there is another function of light that cannot be forgotten. When light comes, particularly the light of dawn, that light awakens! The ancient Christian hymn that Paul quotes here says it well:

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

The Christian, who was once darkness, has been made light, and a child of light, and a light to the world. We are reflective of the true Light of the World, Jesus Christ, Light of Light, our bright Morning Star, and Sun of Righteousness. He makes us part of His light by destroying sin, death, the devil – yes, all the forces of darkness.

He entered the darkest depths of the shadow of death, as He suffered on the cross for us. Even the Sun itself stopped shining, as the true light of Creation was being snuffed out. And what darkness of the soul, when God turned his back on His only Son – “My God, why have you forsaken me?”. And the thud of the stone which sealed his grave brought a darkness which many found hopeless, as his lifeless body was left there to decay.

BUT THEN THE LIGHT DAWNED! As Easter sunshine filled the sky, the Light of the World returned in full radiance! Ultimate darkness was chased away forever when Christ rose from the dead. The forces of darkness were dispersed – to be seen no more. Light and Life won the day!

And His rising is our rising. Because He conquered death, we need not fear it. Because He won the victory, we will not be defeated. And because He is the True Light, we are partakers of that light – a light which shines on our dark world, our darkened souls, and awakens us to a new life of holiness and righteousness forever. In Christ, a new day has dawned for the sinner under the shadow of death. When he shines on us, we awaken, and live!

He shines on us when the dawn of faith breaks in at Holy Baptism. He shines on us as we receive his body and blood for forgiveness. He shines on us as we read and hear and learn and pray on sing of His Holy Word of Scripture – and as we gather with other Christians to do so. Through Word and Sacrament he shines on us, sheds light on our souls, and continually chases away the darkness with His True Light.

And such light is everlasting. It does not fade away. So when we die, and darkness overtakes us, we yet dwell in light. And one day the darkness of even the grave will be swallowed up in the bright beams of the resurrection of all faithful Christians. Then, dwelling in His Holy City forever, we will need no light, nor lamp, nor sun – for Christ will be our light.

So today – Darkness and Light. The Darkness that we were (in sin), and the light that we are (in Christ). The Light that exposes, the Light that sometimes blinds. But for those of us who have seen, through the eyes of faith, the Light of Christ awakens us – even from death.

V. Conclusion

Paul uses the universal metaphors of light and darkness to shed light on faith in Christ. May we ever bask in the light shed by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Hymn - "Grant, Lord Jesus, Those in Blindness"

"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 from Heaven breaking in
Shine light on our failing eyes
Open them to see the prize
By Your Spirit grant us vision,
Faith and blessing for Your mission.

© Thomas E. Chryst, 2005

Sermon - Lent 2 - John 4:5-42

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. Jesus, the true human that he was – hungry – had sent his disciples to get food. Tired, he sat down to rest, and thirsty, he asked the woman who had come to the well for a simple drink of water. It was an everyday situation, or so it seemed.

What caught the woman off guard is not that a stranger would talk to her, but that he was a man. Men didn’t usually acknowledge women, and especially for a Jewish man to make small talk with a Samaritan woman – well, let’s just say this was a bit of an odd couple. Jews and Samaritans, Men and Women – people who didn’t usually speak at all. But Jesus was full of surprises that day.

Just as intentionally as he opens this unexpected conversation, he directs its course. First asking her for water, he gets her attention by tapping a subject deeper than the well. He offered her “living water”. What did he mean by “living water” – well, simply, quenching the thirst of the soul. He himself, the Savior, is that water – the forgiveness he brings, and the life he gives – the spirit he sends – everything, all of it, is the living water of which Jesus spoke. She didn’t understand it, how could she, but she was intrigued. After all, coming to this well everyday was hard work, and not being thirsty anymore sure sounded good to her.

Jesus intrigues us with the Gospel too. He offers us something. Maybe we don’t understand it at first so well either. But we know we are thirsty, that we have a need. We want to hear more about this “living water” too. But rather than explain it, Jesus applies it. He begins to give her the living water – that is, exactly what she needs. He changes the topic. He goes from the tame topic of water to the uncomfortable topic of sin…

III. From Water to Sins

“Go get your husband”. “I have no husband”. “No, you had 5 husbands – but the man you are living with isn’t your husband is he?” Jesus cuts to the chase, cuts through the veil of polite conversation, and gently but firmly and directly points the woman to her sin. He is to give her the living water, but the first part of this is to lead her to see the need, to remind her of the real thirst – for forgiveness.

When our weekly conversation with Jesus called worship begins, we too are reminded of our sin. The liturgy points us to our own sins just as surely as Jesus exposed the woman at the well. Our sins are many and varied, thought, word, deed, sins done, and sins by leaving things undone.

Perhaps we are beset by a certain sin, a glaring weakness or problem in our life. Perhaps we are caught in a sexual sin – perhaps even the same sin as this Samaritan woman – living in sin with someone who is not our spouse. The sin of fornication.

Whatever our sin, it may seem there is no real way out. Perhaps we make excuses for our sin, or take comfort in the fact that society endorses it. Perhaps we console ourselves with the old argument, “Yeah, but look how much worse the other sinners are…” Maybe we just don’t think it’s such a big deal.

But Jesus would beg to differ. Jesus does not overlook sin, he comes to address it. He calls the sinner to repentance, and applies the forgiveness won by his blood.

Whatever our sin is, it is never comfortable to speak of. Though some don’t even like our very general corporate confession made in worship – not wanting to admit to even being a sinner – most of us have no problem doing so. But if anyone were to ever point to a particular sin, might our reaction be a different story? Might we get defensive? Might we shift the blame, or make excuses? Or might we, like the woman at the well, seek to change the subject?

IV. From “Where” to “Whom”

Now, she wants to talk about worship. “I see you are a prophet!” Let’s argue religion. Now the woman too breaks one of the cardinal rules of polite conversation and brings up religion. Some have suggested she was avoiding talking about her sin. Perhaps. Others have said this is a tacit confession, that yes, Jesus, you are right about my sin. Now let’s talk about how I can be cleansed. What sacrifices do I need to make, to whom, and where – to get this all taken care of. Let’s talk religion.

Whatever the woman’s reason for turning the topic to places of worship, she had certainly opened another can of worms. For Jews and Samaritans disagreed deeply over religion. Jews worshipped God at the temple, where He had promised to dwell. Samaritans set up their own temple, their own places of worship, and thus made for themselves a new religion, really.

The Samaritan religion used only the first 5 books of the Old Testament. Is it any wonder that Jesus said, “you Samaritans worship what you do not know”? But more than just scold her for faulty religion, Jesus moves beyond the Samaritan/Jewish distinction, and announces a new era of religion where worship is not bound to geographical place. Worship in Spirit and Truth – will be coming, and HAS NOW ARRIVED in the Messiah, He, himself, Jesus Christ.

All this sounds good to the woman, and she makes a sort of confession of her faith. She looked forward to the coming Messiah, who would explain it all.

Jesus responds, “I who speak to you am He”, and by doing so, he “opens the floodgates of living waters” The woman comes to faith, and even testifies to her entire town, inviting them to come and hear this man of amazing words. But more amazing than the small-talk, even more amazing than the prophetic wisdom, was the announcement of God’s grace and mercy in the arrival of the long awaited Messiah, who had arrived on the scene with his gift of Living Water.

Jesus takes the question of true religion, right worship, and how to deal with sin –
And he again changes the subject. Now instead of where, or how, or even what – the real question is WHO? And Jesus makes it clear – He is the answer. He is the way, the only way to the Father. He is the Truth, by which we receive the Spirit and know the Father. And He is the Life – the Living, Life-giving Water that he offers is His very self – crucified for the woman at the well, and for the Samaritans, and for the Jews, and for all people, and for you and me. HE is the life that conquered death by rising to life again – and better than a fountain of youth, his resurrection guarantees eternal life for all who believe.

As we, the people of God, gather once again this day around the well of His grace in Jesus Christ, we cherish again the Living Water. We acknowledge the gifts given in the Baptismal waters, in the Holy Meal of his own Body and Blood, and in the very Word of Truth we are blessed to hear. More than mere small-talk, the words of Christ are powerful, precious, eternal, and true. They point out sin, they forgive sin, and they bring life and faith. We, who have heard these words today, confess with the ancient Samaritans of Sychar, “have heard for ourselves… that this man really is the Savior of the world!”

V. Conclusion

As Jesus dialogues with the woman at the well, He offers more than small-talk. As the conversation runs its course, Jesus in turn offers the gift, points to sin, and again to His mercy. Jesus makes a believer out of her!

Hymn - "Jesus Came to Jacob's Well"

"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 and fill us
For in our baptismal waters
We are your own sons and daughters

© Thomas E. Chryst, 2005.

Sermon - Lent 1 - Matthew 4:1-11

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 have come to doubt the existence of this, our great spiritual foe. Still, scripture makes it clear – the Devil is real. And he is a real problem. Of the 3 sources of evil – the Devil, the sinful World, and our own sinful self… it is not always clear which is at work. Perhaps because we are so sinful in our own right, the Devil doesn’t have to work so hard to cause us grief. Nonetheless, the agenda of the evil 3 is the same – and the Devil, whether personally involved or not, gleefully approves of sin and evil ruling the lives of people.

Satan means “accuser”. He points out our sin, accuses our consciences, tries to make us doubt God’s love and forgiveness.

The word “devil” means “slanderer”. He is called the “Father of Lies” and has been telling them since the first lie to Eve, “you will surely not die”. He is also the master of half-truths, or lies filled with enough truth to make them even more potent. He is a powerful opponent.

He is against us. He wants to harm us. It’s the ultimate case of “misery loves company”. He would make us suffer here on earth, as he did to Job, taking away all our possessions, relationships, our health, even life itself.
But the real harm the Devil means us is spiritual Harm. Just like our first parents, Adam and Eve, whom he successfully coaxed from innocence into sin – the Devil is still up to his old tricks. He would see us fall into sin, he would see us fall away from our faith. And because our nature is corrupt already – we don’t stand much of a chance against the Devil’s temptations. Our sinful self, our Old Adam, is even less able to cope with Satan’s wicked agenda than the original Adam was. And like the first man and woman, we too stand under the curse for breaking the law of God and casting our lot in with the Evil One. But there is another One – there is the Holy One. He is the Second Adam, who comes once again face the ancient foe. He is the Son of Man – Jesus Christ. And this time, the result will be different.

III. The Great Contest
As we mentioned, Jesus is led by the Spirit to fast in the wilderness. Thus, we see, the occasion of his meeting with Satan is by God’s design. There is nothing accidental here. Very intentionally, Jesus faces the Devil, squares off against our enemy – as his public ministry on our behalf is now begun. His first action then, for us, is to bring Satan to his knees, beating him at his own game- and doing what we could never do for ourselves.

Temptation 1 – Satan attacks Jesus at a point of vulnerability – as he so often does to us. “Aren’t you hungry? Turn the stones into bread. Break your fast Jesus – live for your stomach. Away with all this suffering – you deserve to be happy.” Satan attacks us and our many hungers – twisting and tempting us to sin. Not Just physical food, but physical pleasures, fast cars, fine clothes, fun toys, big houses – whatever our hunger – Satan is there tempting us to think first of ourselves. But Jesus will do no such thing. He shows Satan the true priority, and real need, the real hunger – is for the word of God. For God’s word alone brings life – more than a mere physical life (though in Christ we have a resurrection too). But we gain, through the Word, the life that Adam and Eve lost when they did “Eat and Sin”. Jesus reverses this. He withstands the temptation – on our behalf.

Temptation 2 – Satan now tries to use scripture against Jesus – just as he twisted God’s own command to Adam and Eve. Indeed, they did become like God, knowing good and evil. But that was not the whole truth. Likewise here, in urging Jesus to Jump from the temple, Satan seeks to test God’s promise that the angels would tend to Jesus. But Jesus counters correctly, reminding Satan that God is not to be tested.

The Devil would love us to put God to the test – and to twist God’s words around in our hears for his own purposes. And sometimes he succeeds. But his arrogance meets its match in Jesus. And now a second time he is defeated.

Temptation 3 –
Luther says that in the first temptation Satan showed himself as a black devil, in the second as a white devil. But, in the third, he displays himself as a divine, majestic devil, who comes right out as though he were God himself. He drops his mask and appears as the prince and ruler of this world.

His statement is based on a lie. He is not the owner of the world and its kingdoms. He is a usurper. He has arrogantly caused the world to be sinful. He works through sinful men and thus gives the appearance of owning all.

But God owns all. And God gives unconditionally. And God’s gifts are followed by worship. Satan owns nothing. He gives conditionally. He expects to be worshiped before he gives. It is total perversion. Jesus puts Satan back in his place with a basic reminder of this simple truth. Only God is God.

IV. The Word Triumphant
There is much here to learn – lessons about temptation, and the ways the Devil uses to assail us. There is instruction on how to defeat temptation, by turning to God’s word. It’s also worth noting that Jesus does eventually attain all that Satan promised: daily sustenance, the protection of the angels, and “all authority in heaven and on earth”, given to His human nature. But it was according to the Father's will, done in perfect obedience. But there’s more:

This wilderness temptation is but the opening salvo in the battle for the souls of mankind. And Jesus wins the day! He will continue to heal, teach, and cast out demons and devils for another 3 years. All the while, Satan will be on the run.

Jesus wins every time. Jesus will always defeat the Devil. There really is no contest. He defeated him here in the wilderness. And he would defeat him more fully at the cross.

In the wilderness, Jesus defeated Satan by the power of God’s Word in scripture. And Jesus, the Living Word of God, defeats Satan, finally, by his own suffering, death, and resurrection.

A favorite hymn of mine (Awake My Heart With Gladness) puts it this way:

The foe in triumph shouted
When Christ lay in the tomb
But lo, he now is routed!
His boast turned into gloom.

And Luther says it too, and we sing it in “A Mighty Fortress”.

Though devils all the world should fill
All eager to devour us
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They shall not overpower us
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will
He can harm us none
He’s judged, the deed is done.
One little word can fell him.

The little word that fells the devil is the Word of God, particularly, his Word of Gospel. It announces the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. It assures us that we are on the winning team.

In this season of Lent, let us ponder the seriousness of sin, the gravity of evil, and the reality of Satan and his work in our world, our lives. But don’t forget the one who defeated Satan for us – there in the wilderness, and finally at the cross and the empty tomb. The Living Word of God, Jesus Christ – the Word which casts out the Devil, and grants us a stake in His eternal victory.

V. Conclusion
The Devil is real, and wants to harm us spiritually. But Jesus defeated the Devil in the wilderness, and later at the cross. As Luther’s hymn reminds us, “one little word can fell him.”

Jesus Loves Me - Calvinist Version

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?

The Lady

Here is a photo I took at Mound Cemetery recently.

Hymn - "Lord Jesus, By the Spirit Led"

"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 You king."
But Jesus would not bend the knee!
"Be gone!" our Lord sent him away,
And pointed to the words which say
The Lord alone is worshipped.

Lord Jesus as we journey here
A pilgrimage to Calvary
Remind us of Your contest there
A vic'try for us, so that we
May see You raised up on the cross
And Satan meet his final loss
Your blood his kingdom con'quering!

© Thomas E. Chryst, 2005

Light on the Lingo?

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 - 1) Admitting your sins 2) Declaring your beliefs
3) The set of beliefs that you hold true (your “confession”)
“The Confessions” refers to those historical documents which state our Lutheran beliefs – found in the Book of Concord

Evangelical - Having to do with the Gospel.
Sometimes abbreviated “Ev.” in the names of our churches.
The Greek word literally means “good (ev) message (angel)”

Incarnation - Coming “in the flesh”, literally. Jesus came as a human.
He was “incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary”.

Introit - From the Latin “Entrance”. The Psalm chanted as the pastor approaches (enters) the altar (chancel).

Justification - The idea that through Christ, God makes you just, or “right”.
We think of this as a one-time declaration of God.

Lectionary - The system of scripture readings chosen for the church year.

Liturgy - The form of public worship. Origins of this word indicate a public giving-out of “goodies”. The Pastor distributes the gifts of God (Word & Sacrament) in the liturgy.

Preaching - How God delivers His "bling-bling" (His Word) to the world through His pastors ("blingers"?)

Reconciliation - Restoring the relationship between God and sinners. Like a husband and wife who are separated and get back together.

Salutary - Helpful and health-ful.

Salvation - How God saves or salvages the sinner – making us new.
Like restoring an old car to its original condition.

Sanctification - The process by which the Holy Spirit makes you holy.
An ongoing work in the life of the Christian. Spiritual growth.

Stewardship - Managing one’s bling-bling (or all your “stuff”) in a godly way. Realizing it doesn’t belong to you in the first place.

Transfiguration - Changing appearance. This refers to a specific event in Jesus life when he got all bright and shiny (bling-bling?). Celebrated at the end of the season of Epiphany.

If you’re a real word-hound you can find more definitions online with the always-helpful “Christian Cyclopedia”: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/


Rev. Tom Chryst is Associate Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin.

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Sermon - Epiphany 4 - 1 Cor. 1

Epiphany 4, January 30th, 2005
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“God has a Sense of Humor”

I. Introduction –
Sometimes, things are not as we expect.

A man is being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard.
Suddenly, the light turns yellow, just in front of him. He does theright thing, and stops at the crosswalk, even though he could havebeaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman hits the roof, and the horn, screaming infrustration as she misses her chance to get through the intersectionwith him. As she is still in mid-rant, she hears a tap on her window and looks up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer orders her to exit her car with her hands up. He takes herto the police station where she is searched, fingerprinted, photographed,and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approachesthe cell and opens the door. She is escorted back to the booking desk wherethe arresting officer is waiting with her personal effects. He says, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behindyour car while you were blowing your horn, gesturing at the guy off in frontof you, and cussing a blue streak at him.

I noticed the "Choose Life" license plate holder, the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the "Follow Me to Sunday School" bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk." "Naturally I assumed you had stolen the car."

Perhaps the officer found his expectations of a Christian were a bit off.
The woman didn’t fit the pattern of a Christian he had expected.
But in a sense, this joke illustrates what humor is really about. It’s about the surprise, the unexpected. The breaking of the pattern.
In a sense, it’s what Paul is talking about in our Epistle today, which will be the basis of our meditation. We will get there, by taking the long way around. And when we do, we’ll see that God does have a sense of humor. But maybe not like we expect.

II. What Makes Us Laugh?
I have observed that what is funny in life is often in the breaking of the pattern. It’s why many jokes are told about 3 people. The first 2 set the pattern, the third breaks it, and we laugh. The third part of the joke is funny because we don’t expect it. The punchline is the surprise at the end.
A preacher a priest and a rabbai walk into a bar. The bartender says, this must be some kind of joke!
Even our earliest humor also has an element of surprise. It’s what makes babies laugh while playing peek-abo. They’re surprised each time you disappear and reappear. It’s amazing.

In the Old Testament, Sarah the wife of Abraham, had a good laugh.
She learned that she would become a mother in her old age, and she found this so out of the normal pattern that it was laughable. But surprise! God would keep his promise! Later, when the child was born, she said: Genesis 21 “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age”She even named the son Isaac, which means, laughter.

III. What Is Not So Funny
While most of us enjoy a good laugh, we also know its boundaries. Some humor is not in good taste. Humor that gets a laugh at someone’s expense, or makes fun of something which is to be highly esteemed or honored – such humor is offensive. Nor do we like being laughed at ourselves. Not everything that breaks the pattern is all that funny.

Maybe that’s one way of looking at sin – as something that breaks the pattern. Sin is breaking God’s pattern, His law, the course he has laid out for our behavior. When God tells us to worship Him alone, and we honor other gods, it’s not funny. When God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we do otherwise – this is no joke. Sin is the unexpected – it is us not meeting God’s expectations. Sin is no laughing matter. Or is it?

If we look through the entire Bible we find the only thing God actually laughs at is the destruction of the wicked.
Psalm 37:13 “The Lord laughs at the wicked” in derision. But can we avoid being on the receiving end of God’s laughter? Can we avoid what we really deserve for breaking God’s expectations?

IV. The Divine Comedy
In classical literature, there are two common forms for a story. One is a “tragedy”, in which things started out poorly, got better, but then the main character had some sort of fall from grace. A tragedy ended on a down note.

But the opposite of this was a comedy. Not like the laugh-seeking movies we often patronize, but Comedy in the classical sense, is a story that starts off good, gets worse, but has a happy ending. One of the greatest examples of this classical form is Dante’s work, the “Divine Comedy”. In this story, the main Character (Dante himself) goes on a sightseeing tour all the way down to the depths of Hell, only to be taken all the way up through purgatory even to heaven and finally to gaze upon God himself. The story goes from good, to bad, to great. It’s a happy ending. It’s a great reversal.

Christ is ultimate reversal. He is our happy ending. He saves us from the very depths of Hell, and brings us, like Dante, to the very presence of God in heaven. Only our journey is not a sightseeing tour or a dream. It is not a metaphor or some play-acting. Christ changes the reality of our situation by his work for us. By his perfect life, he brings us righteousness before God. By his sacrificial death, he takes such a penalty away from us. By his rising to life again, he guarantees us that even though we die, yet shall we live. He changes everything for us – everything that means anything – he turns our tragedy, in the classic sense, into a comedy. He makes our ending happy.

This is just God’s way – you might call it, the Divine Comedy – or God’s own peculiar sense of humor. Paul keys in on it here in his letter to the Corinthians – yes we have finally arrived at our text. God chooses the weak to make the strong look bad. He chooses the foolish to show his true wisdom. The lowly, despised things that “are not” – God uses these to nullify the things that are. What Paul is talking about here is God’s sense of humor – of breaking the pattern of our expectations.

Those things which the world might laugh at and shame – God turns the tables. Instead it is the supposedly strong, the so-called wise, and the seemingly wonderful – God laughs off these. And those held in shame and ridicule, he takes for himself and makes something out of.

We might have expected Jesus to choose learned men to be his disciples, powerful rulers, or wealthy merchants, but he chose common fishermen, a socially rejected tax collector, former prostitutes, and in St. Paul he even uses an arch-enemy of Christianity to become its chief spokesperson, even to write much of the New Testament. Likewise, we might not expect God would have US – sinners that we are. But He does. Christ dies for each of us. God calls us by name.

Perhaps the ultimate reversal then, the biggest laugh, is that God turns us sinners into his own holy and righteous children. He makes his enemies his friends. He no longer sees wicked people worthy of destruction. He sees “good and faithful servants”. He no longer is angry at our breaking of His expectations. Instead He rejoices with the angels when one sinner repents. He brings us dead people – dead in our sins – dying in our body and dead in our spirit. He brings us to life – life by His spirit – life forever. It’s just his way.

But now, as His people, we must deal with laughter once more, as Jesus warns. Laughter is also used in persecution – being laughed at, made fun of, despised for the sake of Christ – this happened to the prophets – and Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes, that it will happen to us who follow him, too. Still, we are blessed.
And remember, Jesus was laughed at too:
Those mourners who laughed at Jesus when He said,
“She is not dead, only sleeping”
But Jesus turned a father’s mourning into laughter when he said, “little girl, arise” – and she did. God has a sense of humor.

Those who laughed at Jesus when he hung, dying, “Save yourself, if you are the Christ” Who would have the last laugh on Easter Sunday??
God has a sense of humor.

And in the end, and I mean THE END – God will have the LAST laugh. And we, His people will join in the laughter. When all that is wrong is finally reversed, when God makes it right again. When in heaven, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and keep us forever.

So what makes us laugh? The breaking of the pattern, the unexpected, the surprise. But not everything that is wrong is so funny.

Does God have a sense of humor? Yes, but not like ours. For in the true Divine Comedy, Jesus Christ makes right what is wrong, and gives us the ultimate happy ending. And that’s no joke. In His Name. Amen.


V. Conclusion
Though it is often said that God has a sense of humor, sin is no laughing matter. Still God shows his sense of humor in choosing the weak to shame the strong, the foolish to shame the strong, and bringing us life through the death of His Son.

Sermon - Epiphany 2 - John 1:29

January 16th, 2005
John 1:29-41
“What Are YOU Looking At?”

I. Introduction –
John 1:29 is one of those little verses of scripture that expresses, in a short phrase, a profound mystery. It has been called "the masterpiece of the Holy Spirit." It is quoted at least five times in the Book of Concord. It is the basis for a chorus and an alto Aria in Bach's Mass in B Minor. It is found in the Catechism. The Lutheran Hymnal has 6 hymns based on this verse. Even our communion liturgy uses it, the “Agnus Dei”, Latin, for the Lamb of God.
Unpacking this phrase, this short soundbyte of John, will help us answer the Epiphany question, “just who is this Jesus, anyway?” – for behold, he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

II. Behold
First, John bids us to “Look!”
The old translation, BEHOLD- a command to look, but not just gaze at for a moment. Look, see, study, and appreciate. Concentrate on.
What normally occupies our attention in this way?
What are you looking at?
Our attention is usually occupied with, simply, ourselves. We are turned inward. Our attention, our focus, is usually on me and my wants and my desires. How can I look good? What will make me feel good? Happy? Looking at ourselves, though, as if the world revolves around us – this is really, the original sin – selfishness. We want to be God. We want “the eyes of all to wait upon” ME.
Now, sin has many forms, but it all looks the same to God. It is all worthy of punishment. It all means death. God’s rules leave no wiggle room, there is no “pretty good” or “not as bad as” the next guy. His perfect law demands perfect holiness from us, an image we have long since shattered. What are we looking at? If we were left in our sins, we would be looking at an eternal sentence of God’s wrath and punishment. We would be looking at the hopelessness of getting what we deserve. We would be staring eternal death in the face.
We could look to our own devices, our own abilities for salvation, but we wouldn’t find it there. We could search forever within ourselves, but never find enough good to please God or balance out our sins. Instead:
John says, “Behold the Lamb of God!” and when John says, "Behold!" he means more that wondering or considering. "Looking" is used in Scripture for faith: "Look unto me, and saved."

Just as the ancient Hebrews looked to the bronze serpent lifted high on a pole, and their snake-bites were healed, we look to the sin-bearing Christ, lifted high on the cross, and that Old serpent the Devil and his venom are no longer of concern. John says, Behold! LOOK! ATTENTION, Your savior is here.
Take your eyes off everything else, turn away from yourself and your sin, and behold the Lamb of God! You need not see anything else, nothing else is worth seeing; but behold Him, Jesus Christ alone. OK. So we’re looking. You’ve got our attention, John. Now what, who do we see?

III. The Lamb of God
John says “Behold the Lamb of God” and that phrase, “Lamb of God” meant something for John’s hearers. We must understand.
After sin came into the world and men were alienated from God, it was God's will that men offer animal sacrifices to make amends for their sin. Abel offered a lamb to God and it was accepted. Noah, Abraham, Jacob – all offered sacrifices.
The Passover lamb was offered as a sacrifice to save the people of Israel from the Angel of death during the final plague on Egypt.. God then took them to Siani and gave them a system of sacrifice, by which his people could deal with their sins, better, by which he promised to deal with their sins. The high point of the sacrificial calendar year was Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.
The goat on the Day of Atonement that was slaughtered for the sins of the people, had come over time, to be known as “the Lamb of God”. It is with this, and all the other lambs that were slain over some 1500 years – after so much blood was shed, now comes Christ – to whom all sacrifices point. To him, THE Lamb of God. The once and for all greatest, best, most perfect and without blemish, holy Lamb of God. One of a kind. Born to die.
And it would be no accident. For the lamb is also he that “Takes away the sin of the world”. What do you mean by that, John? And here another Epiphany theme – the inclusion of the gentiles – not just the Jews, but all nations – our eyes are directed to the Lamb of God, our savior. He takes away the sin of THE WORLD!

IV. Who Takes Away the Sin of the World
What the blood of millions of animals had anticipated, the blood of Jesus secures. What the lamb of Passover pointed to, Jesus Christ fulfills. What the goat on the day of atonement foreshadowed, Jesus makes reality. When we look at Jesus, as John bids us, we see the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. This was always the plan – but see what else Scripture says about Him who takes away the sins of the world:

Genesis 22:7-8,13. Abraham is about to sacrifice his son, Isaac, when the young man asks, "where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham responds by saying, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And indeed, there is a substitution made at the last moment – the ram caught in the thicket – provided by God. Is it not significant that Jesus himself was provided as our substitute – “God will provide the lamb”.
The Passover lamb of Exodus, which we mentioned earlier, was to be slain on the 14th of the Jewish month of Nisan. Is it an accident that Christ, the Lamb of God, died on the cross, the evening of the 14th of Nisan?
The blood of the Passover lamb was to be shed and then applied to the door posts of the house, and by this means the household was delivered from death. We are spared through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:18-19. The blood is applied to us when we are baptized into Christ, Hebrews 10:19-22.
Exodus 12:8. The Passover lamb was to be eaten. Christ himself instituted the Lord's supper during the Passover meal that He shared with His disciples. In the Lord's supper we partake of Christ, the Lamb of our deliverance, 1 Corinthians 10:16. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 Christ is called our Passover which has been sacrificed.
Isaiah 53:5-7. The prophet Isaiah foresaw the coming of the Servant of the Lord who would be the sacrificial lamb that would take away the sins of Israel. This man would go to His death without speaking a word in His own defense, as a lamb led to slaughter. It is this passage that is read by the Eunuch in Acts 8:32-35, and Philip applies the prophecy to Jesus Christ. Jesus was silent before His accusers, Matthew 26:62-63, Matthew 27:12-14, and this very behavior is referred to by Peter in 1 Peter 2:21-24 who also quotes from Isaiah 53.
In His death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled every facet of Isaiah's portrayal of God's sacrificial lamb.
It is through this, once and for all, central sacrifice that we are saved, like Issac, like the Israelites, but even better. For more than our life – our eternal life is saved. Because the sins are gone. The lamb was slain. In fact, more than just Issac, or the Israelites – but all nations are saved in his sacrifice. Including you and me.
But the story doesn’t end there! There is ANOTHER picture of the Lamb presented in Scripture... again by the Apostle John, but this time in Revelation 5.

Now, the Lamb of God, who has taken away the sins of the world, the lamb who had been slain – is alive again! For our paschal lamb is a victorious one, conquering that which would conquer us – sin, the devil, the grave.Behold, the triumphal lamb! Rev. 5In the symbolic imagery of Revelation an angel is holding scroll with writing on both sides– there’s seven seals and he asks, “Who is worthy to open sucha scroll?” The answer comes from one of the elders: The Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." And vs. 12 "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

And finally look to Revelation 7:14 where we read about the saints in heaven. Of them it is said, "they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." That’s us. Made clean by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ.

Hear again the words of John today, and hear them well: BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD. Look not to yourself, but to Jesus, trust in Him alone, and live – forever. All eyes on Jesus. Amen.


V. Conclusion
John the Baptists directs our eyes to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Seeing Him, we see our sins taken away. So we, like John, would direct all eyes to Jesus.

Sermon - Christmas 2 - John 1:14

Christmas 2, January 2nd, 2005
“On Word and Flesh”
John 1:14

Introduction-
John 1:1-18 is our reading for today, the 2nd Sunday after Christmas. It is a powerful text which opens the 4th and final Gospel account of the Christ. Matthew and Luke tell the story of the first Christmas with all the attendant cast of characters and props – the shepherds, wisemen, angels, the manger, the star, the swaddling clothes. But John’s concern is different. John mines the theology of the event, the meaning, in a profound way. John’s gospel is chock-full of seemingly simple words and ideas in which is loaded a world of theological meaning.
For his part, Martin Luther preached 11 sermons (158 pages) on these 18 verses. Don’t worry, we won’t be so ambitious this morning. Instead I want to focus one one verse, verse 14. There we will see 5 words – just 5 words, which clue us in to a greater depth of appreciation for our Christmas theology.

Word
A young man was buying a shirt in a department store. The shirt label said, “Shrink Resistant.” He asked the clerk what exactly do these words mean?The clerk said, “The label means that the shirt will shrink, but it doesn’t want to.”
Words communicate ideas, Words perform action “I now pronounce you man and wife!” We use words for many purposes, but often in the service of sin. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but the truth is words can and do hurt. When it comes to the 8th and 2nd commandments, Luther’s Small Catechism shows how we misuse words in relation to man, and to God. James warns us about the tongue, compares it to a wild beast, a fire, a sword – the human tongue is dangerous, as are the words formed by it. That’s because it is filled with sin, What a contrast between our words, and THE WORD.
The WORD of God, a living word. The WORD of God, an eternal word. The WORD which John tells us was with God and Was God. Through the WORD all things were made – when God spoke the word, creation came to be. This WORD is, of course, the second person of the Godhead, the eternal Son – we know him as Jesus. As the word, he not only brings us God’s message. He IS the message.

Flesh
We know him as Jesus because he came in the flesh. “Flesh” is a strong, almost crude way of referring to human nature. He could have said "The Word became man…" or "The word took on human form or a body…" But he bluntly said "flesh."
The problem with our flesh is that it is corrupted by sin. And so our flesh gets sick, old, and dies – the consequence of our sin.
But the word who became flesh did so without sin. He was perfect in every way. Some say he came in the flesh to understand us better – to “walk in our shoes” as it were. And I suppose there is some comfort to knowing that God knows what we go through – that he’s been there (or here). But sympathy was not the reason the word became flesh.
He took on flesh so that flesh could die. He took on flesh to save our flesh by destroying his own. He took on our human nature, and though he had no sin of his own, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).Jesus took His flesh, loaded with the sins of our flesh, he took it to the cross.

Glory
In our sin, we seek glory for ourselves. But Jesus comes to bring the true glory that is of God. We have seen His glory. St. John saw Christ’s glory revealed to some degree on the Mt. of Transfiguration. There Christ shone brightly like the sun. John, James and Peter got a glimpse of Christ’s true glory.
But John would see Christ in even more glory. He would see it in the cross. The only disciple to stick with Jesus to the end, John stood at the foot of the cross and saw the glory of God’s plan completed in the not-so-glorious-seeming spectacle of a torturous death, an innocent condemned. When we look to the cross, we can say with John, “We have seen his glory”. For there in his central act of saving US, God is most glorified by his one and only Son.

Grace
There, also in the cross, we see grace. Jesus was full of grace, that undeserved love of God. You could see it in every leper healed, every blind man who regained sight, every child blessed, every tax collector and prostitute forgiven. God’s grace was made clear in Christ when he raised a little girl, and a widow’s son, and a man named Lazarus from the dead. None of these deserved special treatment. But the Word Made Flesh had come, with Glory and Grace.
And we see His grace still. Even though he has gone from before our eyes to the throne of heaven, we see his grace. We see his grace in a sinner forgiven. We see his grace in a child baptized. We see his grace, even touch and taste it – as we gather around his real presence in our midst. In these means of grace, Christ has promised to be found, has promised his blessings, his forgiveness, love, grace. He was full and is full of grace, and he invites us to receive from His fullness.

Truth
Then there is truth. He was, he is, full of truth. We, are not. We are full of ourselves, our lies and half-truths. We cannot be trusted 100% of the time. We don’t always shoot it straight. We say what gets us what we want, what makes us look good (and perhaps makes others look bad). And we do it with little hesitation to stretch or bend or twist reality by our words.
Likewise, how highly do we hold the truth of God’s word? Or are we more comfortable living by our own constructed truth – which may shift from day to day according to our desires. Do we buy into our cultural lie, “what’s true for you may not be true for me”?
But the Living, Eternal Word-made-flesh, he is true. He is full of grace and TRUTH. Sometimes his truth is the hard truth we need to hear. The truth may hurt – a lot. His word for us, like an unpleasant medical treatment, may be uncomfortable – but our sore souls need to receive it. And hearing the hard truth of His Law softens our hearts in repentance, and opens us for the sweet taste of Gospel – Gospel TRUTH! For the Word became flesh whose glory was made known among us, who is full of grace – he forgives you your sins and THAT IS THE TRUTH.
They can take the manger scene down. They can assault the notion that one man could save the whole world. They can question his message, or whether He is the only way to the Father. But they cannot change the truth. He who is said by John to be full of truth, later in this Gospel proclaims himself the Way, the TRUTH, and the life. And so he was, and so he is.
Words mean something. God’s word, even more-so. Today we looked at just 5 words from John’s opening chapter – WORD, FLESH, GLORY, GRACE, TRUTH. Each word a world of meaning for us, found in Christ our Lord. He is the WORD OF GOD made FLESH for us. In his cross, we find GLORY, we find GRACE. And it is TRUE. Now and always, Amen.

Conclusion-
The sublime words of St. John regarding the Word which became Flesh. May we always see His glory, and be full of His grace and truth.

Gay Marriage

Some Theses on “Gay Marriage”
With respect to the very current debate of so-called “gay marriage”, we submit the following theses for the benefit of our congregation.

1. God’s Word is clear in its condemnation of homosexual activity.
In Romans 1, Paul makes it clear that homosexual activity is an affront to God. He speaks of homosexuality in such terms: “shameful lusts” and “unnatural relations”, “indecent acts” and “perversion”.

2. God’s Word is clear that Christ died for the sins of all, including homosexuals.
Scripture speaks in harsh terms of all sin, but offers sweet Gospel for those who confess sin and receive Christ’s forgiveness in faith. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:10)

3. God’s Word is clear that He, not Man, is the creator of marriage.
Jesus quotes and confirms Genesis: “at the beginning of creation, God ‘made them male and female’. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Mark 10:6-7).

4. God’s Word is clear that marriage is designed as a union of man and woman.
In all of creation no “suitable helper” could be found for Adam, so God created woman especially for the man. He made her “suitable” and “brought her to the man”. This is the intentional design of a Creator who knows best. When He had created both male and female, only then was creation declared “very good” (See Genesis 1 & 2).

5. God’s Word is clear that marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with His bride, the Church. God’s gift of marriage also holds deep theological meaning for His people. “For the Husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior”
(Ephesians 5:23). What sort of confusion will follow when this image is tampered with?

6. God’s Word is clear that in marriage, husbands and wives hold distinct roles.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25) “…and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33)
What sort of role confusion is implied in a marriage with 2 husbands or 2 wives?

7. God’s Word is clear that marriage, as He has given it, is a blessing.
Scripture is replete with references, explicit and implicit, to the blessings that come from God through marriage. Such blessings are obvious, and include companionship, love, and when it is God’s will, the procreation and nurture of children.

We hope and pray that God’s clear will for marriage will be respected, and that marriage, as given and instituted by God, will continue to be a blessing in our world.

We hope and pray that homosexuality, as all sins, will be recognized and confessed, that it might be forgiven in Christ. For this too is God’s clear will!

We encourage individual members of Grace to actively work through the means God has provided, exercising rights of citizenship, to influence public policy in a God-pleasing way.

The Board of Elders of Grace Lutheran Church, Racine, Wisconsin,
Pastor Randal Poppe, Pastor Thomas Chryst
Adopted 4/6/04

Resources for further study:
- “What About…. Homosexuality?” pamphlet, available in our church library.
- A statement from the President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, available online at:
http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office of the President/Protection of Marriage Statement.pdf

Fun Facts

In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury

Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

Coca-Cola was originally green

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this..

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400

The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle.
If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle.
If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Only two people signed the Declaration ofIndependenceon July 4th, John Hancock andCharlesThomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace

Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession

Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.

Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey

Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month . which we know today as the honeymoon.

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"

Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow
(I, however, refuse)

New Lutheran Hymn

"Gathered In Your Name Most Holy"
Tune: Der am Kreuz (On My Heart Imprint Thy Image)

Gathered in your name most holy
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
You assemble us for worship
Granting what we need the most
Your true church is present where
Word and Sacrament we share
When your Word is spoken purely
You are present just as surely

When our sins we come confessing
Done and undone, thought, word, deed
You announce to us forgiveness
All our sins Your grace exceeds
In Your stead your servant stands
And absolves as you command
Absolution words assuring
Our forgiveness thus securing.

Lord your Law does strike our conscience
With its rod of righteous wrath
Showing us where we have wandered
Choosing sin and Hell's vile path
But your Gospel binds and heals
Our forgiveness ever seals
Jesus died for our salvation
Thus we sing in exaltation.

Born an heir of wicked nature
Adam's image, broken, torn
Christ gives us a different line'age
In the waters we're reborn
In God's family, now we share
Now the three-fold Name we bear
At the font we do inherit
Life forever by the Spirit.

As we gather at your altar
Bearing all our guilt and sin
We confess and know our weakness
Wretched, dark, and soiled within
Yet we come apart from fear
Knowing Jesus You are here -
Bread and wine are no mere token
For your words are clearly spoken.

More than food of earthly nature
Is the feast you here supply
Christ's own blood and His true body
Precious gifts from Heavn' on high
Let us hear, touch, taste and see
Grace is given here for free
You sustain us, feed and nourish
That your Church may ever flourish.

Bless us Lord, and smile upon us
Bless us, keep us in your grace
Bless us Lord, and lift upon us
Shining beams from your bright face
Bless us Lord and grant us peace
For your mercies never cease
Hear our thanks for what you've given
Here on earth and there in heaven.

© Thomas E. Chryst, 2005