Weekday Advent Service One, Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Weekday Advent Service One
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard, SD
The Hymns of Advent

Lo! He comes with Clouds Descending     (LW 15 / LSB 336, tune)By: Charles Wesley

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for ev'ry sinner slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Ev'ry eye shall now behold him
Robed in glorious majesty;
Those who set at nought and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall their true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his Passion
Still his dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshipers.
With what rapture, with what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen, let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the pow'r and glory,
Claim the kingdom for thine own.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou a lone!

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Tonight we are starting an Advent series based on a few great Advent hymns.  The question you might ask is why do we even have Advent hymns, or why do we even have Advent at all?  Why don’t we just jump right from Thanksgiving to Christmas just like the rest of the world does?  (Halloween?)  Well, we could.  Christmas is a very important part of our faith.  The old German traditions really emphasis that.  How many of you when you were young put up your Christmas tree on Christmas Eve?  How many opened presents then too?  How many of you were involved in a Children’s Christmas Eve program?  You see, Christmas is really very important to us.  After all if Jesus isn’t born a human being on Christmas Eve He couldn’t have died as a human being in our place on Good Friday and He couldn’t have risen from the dead in human flesh either.  Christmas marks the beginning of it all.  That’s why we sing with Angels the song of Christmas all year, Glory to God in the Highest!  But what’s the value of Advent?  What’s the value of delaying the celebration of Christmas?  What’s the value of singing these Advent hymns?  Well, that’s what this series is all about.

Tonight we are going to look at this wonderful hymn Lo! He comes with Clouds Descending.  It really covers a very important part of Advent, which is not just looking toward the stable but to the time in our future when Our Savior will come again.  It’s all about the anticipation of Jesus coming.  

One of the problems we face as Christians is that we’ve gotten our focus off of the most important thing of our faith.  It’s only natural for us because that’s the way life is for us.  Every day we struggle to survive.  We have to work day in and day out to make a living.  It’s a good idea to make plans for the future but you and I know that they are shaky at best.  Anything can happen to change the plans we’ve made.  “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.”  The old saying goes.  So we focus on the here and now: instant credit, instant gratification, instant access, and instant breakfast.  And no where is it more pronounced than at the “holiday season.”  We are bombarded by images of stuff to buy that’ll make us happier and we are encouraged to get it now.  If you’re like me you look through the Christmas sale flyers and instead of seeing gifts for others you see stuff that you’d like to get on sale!  We are just like the little girl who goes Christmas shopping but isn’t happy unless she gets something for herself, too.  With all the activity we are put to rush.  Hurry up to do Christmas Shopping in Sioux Falls, hurry up to go to the Christmas concert, hurry up to catch the parade, hurry only 26 shopping days left!  It’s as if speed is supposed to get us get the most enjoyment out of the season.  What it really accomplishes though is a “me centered” approach to it all.  Oh, we might drop some coins in the red kettle as we walk by to appease our conscience, but what we want is to have ourselves a merry little Christmas… now!

Well, Advent isn’t like that.  That’s why we take things a bit slower here one Wednesday nights.  That’s a part of what Advent is all about.  We slow down and contemplate who we are before God.  We step out of the rushing world for a few minutes and think about Jesus and what He’s done for us.  We focus on the fact that Christ is coming, and exactly what it means.  On these little holiday ‘vacations’ we have two things to think about in Jesus coming.  First, the one are very anxious to hear and to celebrate; the coming of baby Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph in a stable.  It’s the sweet Away in the Manger story of God as a helpless infant.  Now the second, which is no less important (maybe even more), we aren’t always that anxious to talk about is the emphasis of our Advent hymn this evening.  It’s Jesus second coming.  When He comes to judge the living and the dead, as we confess in the creed.  In our rush to celebrate Christmas we usually forget that our Lord is indeed coming again.  

So, let’s take a look at the hymn.  Lo means look, something important is happening.  That’s what we’re going to say when Jesus does return just as He left, in the clouds.  It’s reminds us of the disciples standing up on the hill after Jesus ascended.  They weren’t getting busy and the angel had to give them the swift kick to get started.  “Hey, He’s gone but He’s gonna come back just like He left.  So get busy!”  They said.  It’s the next line that sets the whole hymn in its proper contexts, because it gets right to the cross.  Notice how it sets Jesus death on the cross front and center.  It’s like it says, all that we are going to sing about, we can sing about because Jesus was once for every sinner slain.  If you want to know how to decide if a hymn is really a good one, that’s what you look for.  Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23), and then (just like this one) what that means for you and me.

This hymn beautifully paints the picture of what it means for us.  We’ll be among the thousand thousand rejoicing in the salvation won for us by the coming King, Jesus.  Using the language of St. John’s revelation:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10, ESV)

As they say in the commercial, “I just doesn’t get any better than this.”  That’s what we’ll say to each other on that wonderful day to come.

No Advent hymn would be complete though without describing our need for salvation.  This one does it in verse 2.  At first it would be easy to push what it says away from us and on to those who were responsible for the actual driving of the nails.  But it is fair warning to us, lest we sell out Jesus to the prevailing culture.  We are responsible for nailing Jesus to the cross.  It’s is my sin.  It is your sin that He is pierced for.  That sinfulness is reason enough for to be found deeply wailing.  We don’t deserve to be among the thousand thousand but among the damned.  In fact, we are guilty of selling out Jesus every day.  We go about our busy Christmas schedule only paying lip service to Jesus.  Instead of Jesus born for us to be crucified for us we think of Jesus as a cute story to inspire gift giving, and better relationships (peace on earth) among people.  When Christmas is really about our relationship to God, and what He does to restore it.

That’s where the next verse comes in.  This hymn just won’t let us get away from the cross.  Those dear tokens of his Passion are the wounds in His hands, feet and side.  These are the marks of His crucifixion for our sin.  It is exactly what God had done to redeem us, to set us free from the sin that would condemn us.  You see, without the bleeding and dying that the marks remind us of the Christmas story would be an empty celebration.  Jesus comes as a baby to die, and that’s why the joy.  We are the ransomed worshippers who see those marks as our Salvation.

You might not know it but up here on our altar we have a constant reminder of exactly what this hymn is saying.  You can’t see it but you should know that it’s here.  On this white cloth that covers the surface are five embroidered crosses.  (Some altars have them caved into the surface)  Why do you think there are five of them?  That’s right five wounds: two hands, two feet and the side.  It’s a reminder of those glorious scars.  And even more important that out of those wounds flowed Jesus blood.  Some pictures of the crucifixion have a stream of blood flowing into a chalice.  It’s here on this altar that Jesus gives to us in His very body and blood.  We gather around this table to receive the forgiveness that was purchased by the wounds that we see.  There is no more personal way to receive the ransom of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins that to open your mouth and receive Him there.

The hymn ends where history ends.  Jesus reigning on His eternal throne.  It’s really is the goal of our faith.  When Jesus return sin and death and Satan; pain and trouble and worry; evil and persecution and suffering will all come to an end forever.  Advent is a time when we can look forward to that great time.  And this hymn can help us to say it in an unforgettable way.  Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Nigeria Queen's Dance

Teri, my sister-in-law (She and my brother, Nathaniel are missionaries in Nigeria, North Africa) has posted and interesting description of a village ritual called the "Queens Dance." This took place at the village where my Uncle and Aunt served for years as missionaries. She promises video soon. Check it out. Ask a question!

Their blog is http://nateandteri.blogspot.com/

The Queen's Dance post is http://nateandteri.blogspot.com/2006/11/queens-dance.html

I'll update you when the video arrives.
Pastor Watt.

Last Sunday of the Church Year, Jude 20-25, November 26, 2006

Jude.20-25
Last Sunday of the Church Year, November 26, 2006
St. John’s, Howard
Grace and Peace to you from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

You know we are on a journey. Our lives are going somewhere. In fact they are going toward eternity. It’s a journey that we are on, and one of the primary reasons we gather together here every week. But is seems that so often we are focused on today and what we need to get along every day rather then the destination. So every year at the end of November we concentrate on the destination. We think about eternity coming, and how that affects… at least how that should affect our travels in this life. The epistle lesson for today is about just that.

20But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22And have mercy on those who doubt; 23save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 24Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 20-25 (ESV)

Imagine you are a pioneer crossing the great plains of America, in a small wagon train. The wagons drone along the prairie making slow progress every day. One day the forward scouts come riding into the group pointing ahead at smoke on the horizon. It’s a great prairie fire raging. It’s moving very quickly fueled by the dry grass and the wind. It’s moving far to rapidly to out run… there is no way around it… in fact there is literally no escape for anyone. Fiery death is approaching and will soon burn everything and everyone.

“There is no time to waste,” the leader of the groups shouts. He knows what to do. “Start a fire behind us, back there.” Some in the group object that the suggestion seems crazy. But there isn’t time and everyone pitches in and follows the instructions. “Quickly,” he urges, “It’s our only chance to survive!” Soon a fire is raging behind, and the situation looks even worse. There is approaching death ahead, and a blazing fire in the only line of retreat. By all appearance you are even more trapped then before.

But as you watch you see the fire behind moving away from you and leaving a burned patch on the ground; a dark smoldering barren area. “As soon as it cools,” shouts the leader get everything on that burnt patch! When the fire gets here it will go around us and we’ll be safe.”

The group act together supporting one another as they moved to the safe area. All the wagons, people and animals huddled together, fearfully watching the approaching firestorm. And just like the your leader said it passes around. Flames and smoke fill the air choking your lungs and terrifying everyone. But everyone stays put in the safety of the area that’s already burned. Between you and certain death is a patch of ground with nothing to burn. The fire can’t get to you. When the danger is over everyone has survived, and the journey can continue toward its goal.

You and I are on a journey. This is our wagon train, and all these people here are our traveling companions. That’s what the Church is all about. Traveling on our journey toward eternity, the Promised Land. Every day that destination gets closer. We are in this trip together. No single person, or family would dare travel the dangerous journey across the Great Plains by themselves. They traveled in numbers for safety and encouragement and strength. That’s what we do here, too. We gather for safety and encouragement and strength.

But it is a dangerous journey. There is fire all around us. Satan is very real and very active. He hates Christians with every fiber of his being. He wants nothing more than for you to leave the safety of the Church where he can drag you into Hell. And there’s more, the world that we want to live in is dangerous to us. It’s easy to get burned out there. So much of what’s around us dries up our faith. What’s worse is there’s nothing we can do about it. Satan is powerful. The world has great influence. The fire burns toward us and we are helpless to do anything. We can’t get away and we can’t put it out.

But Jesus knows what to do. He makes a way to escape. We know how he suffered for us. He suffered our punishment, the fires of hell, in our place. He hung on the cross and suffered God’s burning anger against sin. Satan attacked him. The world hated him. They dished out the worst they had to give and Jesus died. He gave his life for us, to give us a safe place to stand.

You see, the ground that we stand on here, in faith, is protected by Jesus. He gave His life for it. He spilled his blood on it for us. The fires of hell can’t get to us. Satan can’t harm us and the dangers of the world can’t destroy us.

But there all around us is the burning and raging fire waiting, wanting to get to us. Danger and death are there all around us. And the danger is real.

What do the fire look like? Actually we are enticed by it. It speaks to us things we want to hear, things that sound so reasonable. “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are true to your beliefs and do your best.” “All religions worship God in their own way.” “There are plenty of ways to get to God, just pick one and be sincere.” “Look within yourself. You are all you need.” Some Christian Pastors are even calling or for “Deeds not Creeds.” But these are all lies. They lead away from the safety of Jesus, the only Way to God, our only protection. They say nothing about Jesus life, death and resurrection; nothing about forgiveness of sins that He won for us. And without Jesus there is no hope and no salvation at all.

There are other things in the flame that we are attracted to. We think we can play in the fire and not get burned. A little sexuality here and there never hurt anyone. You can see it every day in advertising. You hear it every day on the radio and around the coffee table. “Don’t be such a prude. Sex is fun and free. Marriage is old fashioned. People should be allowed to express themselves in any way they desire. Get with the times.” But that too, is a lie. Sex outside of marriage is pure fire that will burn you up. But how tempting it is… but how dangerous.

And in the fire greed calls to us. We want more and more and we’ll do just about anything to achieve our goals. Even stepping on our brothers and sisters to push our way to the top. The desire to have the best and have more than anyone is part of the fire. And the rumor mill is in the fire. It churns up stories about each other that we can’t wait to pass on. And the smoke of laziness that keeps us away from worship and God’s Word.

You see the fire every day, all around us, calling to us, attracting us, and lying to us. It is deadly dangerous. Not just because it’s there but also because we are so easily lured into it. We are so easily burned.

Now look around you at the ground you are standing on. It’s safe ground. But, unlike the burned ground from the story this ground is rich and full of life. In fact it’s full of new life. You see, Jesus already was burned in our place. He died for us but He didn’t stay dead. He rose again to new life. He’s with us here. He causes everything in this safe place to grow and prosper. He takes care of us even while the fire rages all around. That’s what Paul is talking about when he says “your most holy faith.” It’s faith in Jesus and what He has done for you and me. That’s what we are built up by. That’s what we are encouraged by. That’s the faith that we can live by and not be burned.

But we aren’t just standing here either. We are on a journey. We are going somewhere. And that somewhere is a place where there is no fire burning around us. That place is a safe place without the temptations that are all around. That place is the place that Jesus said He has prepared for us. And we don’t have to travel alone. We are on this journey together. Paul tells us to, “Travel together, hold each other accountable, love and care for each other, keep each other away from the flames.”

How do we do that? “By building each other up.” He says. You know how to do that. We do it all the time. Kind words are a great encouragement. Look out for each other. Reach out in care and concern when there is pain and hardship. See what needs to be done and do it. It’s not difficult. In many ways it’s just building on the friendships we already have. But building means to expand. And we also need to expand that circle of friendship beyond where it is right now. We need including other people in our friendships that we wouldn’t normally include. People here in our church and people out there in our community.  People who used to be in our church but have quit coming for one reason or another.  And if you are expecting that it’s just the pastor’s job to do that you’re missing a very good opportunity to share your faith with someone you know.

Secondly Paul tells us to pray. “Pray in the Holy Spirit.” Speak from your heart to God. Keep each other in prayer about all of life’s troubles, but especially about our faith. Pray for those whose church attendance is falling of. Don’t talk to other people about the rumors you hear, pray to God about them. Pray that we’ll keep our eyes on Jesus instead of the fire that is tempting us. Pray that we stand and walk together on this journey.

Finally Paul tells us to hate what is evil and corrupting. “hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” It’s hard to live in the world that promotes so much of what is evil. It’s easy to say, “I’ll just let that go this time.” It’s hard to stand up against evil alone especially when it seems as if everyone is doing it. We need each other. “No, I’m not going to let my children watch that, or do that. Yes, I’m going to do what God says is right instead of listening to the world.” Doing the right thing is always the right thing.

The fire is all around us but we are safe with Jesus. We are protected. He died and rose again for you and me. This journey we are in together is leading to a great and wonderful place that we can only begin to imagine. The journey isn’t easy, but our leader, Jesus, calls to us to keep in His love, in the safe place. As we travel we are to build each other up and pray for one another and hate the evil of the world. You know, this journey won’t last forever, in fact, it will be over soon. When it is we will enjoy the heavenly place that Jesus Christ has prepared for you and me. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Thanksgiving Day, 2006, Luke 17:11-19

Luke.17.11-19
Thanksgiving Day, 2006: St. Johns Lutheran Church, Howard, SD

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19, ESV)

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“And as he entered a village, [Jesus] was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance”  they were unclean, it was all they could do… stand at a distance. No one would tolerate their presence any other way. The disease that plagued them, leprosy, was plain for all to see. You could only cover up so much… but, hands showed, and faces… you couldn’t hide the white glossy skin or the black rotting spots, you couldn’t hide the missing fingers and swollen feet. Leprosy was obvious, and it made them unclean. All they could do was stand at a distance and shout hoping that Jesus would hear them. All they could do was believe that if he heard them he would do what he had done for others. “Jesus, Master, have pity on us! Heal us. Take away these awful spots… remove this uncleanness.” Jesus had done it before. He could do it again.

Annabelle felt dirty, and nothing seemed to take it away. She showered five or six times a day, but nothing helped. In her mind she knew that it wasn’t her fault, she had been careful, she had followed all the rules… she never walked at night alone, she avoided dark places, she was always alert to the danger, but it caught her by surprise. It was a public place, but still no one seemed to notice. No one came to help her. The rape made her feel dirty. And even now, months later it made here feel sick. She just couldn’t get over the shameful feelings that overwhelmed her. Her attacker had been caught, he was convicted, he was guilty not her. She knew it. “So why do I feel guilty?” she asked herself. “Other people must feel it, too.” She saw how friends avoided her. Somehow she was ‘tainted.’ They never knew what to say, it was easier to just keep a distance. It just felt better that way. Annabelle felt abandoned, outcast and alone. And she called out to God too, from a distance. How could he love her? How could she come into his presence? She was dirty. She was unclean.

We know what it means to be unclean. It is a violation of what should be. We are repulsed by rotten food, blood, and skin diseases. All we want to do is turn away from it and put as much distance as possible between ourselves and the ‘unclean’ thing.

These feelings are only a small window into the uncleanness that all people have in God’s sight. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48, ESV) “Be perfectly clean, without spot or blemish!” It’s a demand we can’t abide. We know the uncleanness that plagues all people. We know dirt, and filth. We know we are tainted, unclean, and polluted; we’ve seen it in others… “He sure got his hands dirty on that deal.” We say about a shady business. We see it in ourselves. It is there just below the surface; lurking about… thoughts of selfishness, greed, and desire. We know ‘unclean’ and we know we are it.

God is holy and perfect. If we are not perfectly perfect, completely clean, we are offensive to him. If we are unclean He cannot tolerate our presence. We cannot have access to him; he will not come near us, as long as we remain contaminated. We cannot scrub ourselves clean. Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord God. (Jeremiah 2:22, ESV)  Our uncleanness leaves us abandoned, outcast and alone.

But, God has come near to us. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" the Lepers shouted. Jesus saw them, and he healed them. He made them clean. He removed their disease and he sent them to the priests to have them declared ‘clean.’ They would offer a sacrifice to God. A blood offering, to announce that they were free from the disease, they were clean. Jesus drew near to them by healing them.

Jesus drew near to us when He entered our contaminated world. He came to us, perfectly clean, perfectly holy, perfectly human, perfectly God. And he came to wash us clean. He didn’t come only to clean diseases of the skin he came to clean the disease of the heart. The inner uncleanness that lies just below the surface. The dirt that we can’t clean, he washes clean by shedding his holy and precious blood, and his innocent suffering and death. His blood does what we cannot. Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” (Psalm 52:2,7, ESV) We cry for mercy. “Oh Lord, have mercy… I am unclean… I have sinned against you, in thought word and deed.” He answers our prayers. “I forgive you. I make you clean. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7, ESV) God no longer recoils from us. He comes near to us. Where two or three are gathered in my name, I promise you my presence. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13, ESV)

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (Ephesians 5:25-26, ESV) This was the verse Annabelle clung to. “… washing with water through the word.” Whenever, she felt dirty and defiled, she turned to what God had done for her in Baptism. God had cleaned her, he had accepted her, and he had drawn near to her. “…wash me and I will be clean.” She would say to herself as she made the sign of the cross. She remembered that she had been saved by the blood of Christ, and washed clean, even if she didn’t always feel clean. She knew it was true because God had promised it. “Thank you Jesus for making me clean.” She prayed. “Rise and go, your faith has made you clean.” God says to her.

As the ten men walked down the road toward the temple the suddenly began to realize that each one of them had been healed. Gone were the sores. Gone were the dark rotting spots… they were clean, totally, utterly clean. The looked at one another in amazement, and they began to run… to the temple… to the presence of God. But one of them stopped, “to the presence of God?!?” He said. He knew were God was. He knew who had cleansed him. He knew where he had to go. He turned around and ran even faster. “Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!” he said with each step louder and louder as he approached the presence of Jesus. He threw himself at Jesus feet, wrapped his arms around him. “Thank you! Jesus. Praise God!” he shouted. “I’m clean!” “Arise and go, your faith has made you clean.” Jesus said to him.

The leper was made clean. Annabelle was made clean. We have been made clean. No longer are we abandoned, outcast and alone. No longer do we shrink from God’s presence, nor does he recoil at ours. He came to us in Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins. He comes to us with his presence as we gather here in this place. “Thank you Jesus for making us clean.” We say. Amen.

The peace that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Second Last Sunday of the Church Year, Hebrews 12:1-2, November 19, 2006

Heb.12.1-2
Second Last Sunday of the Church Year, November 19, 2006
St. John’s, Howard, South Dakota

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV)

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Endurance… athletes have it, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

“No Pain / No Gain”

“He’s such a great player, when the team really needed him he played even though he had a broken leg!”

That’s endurance. We admire it so, in athletes. I think it’s those water polo guys who’ve got my vote for endurance. They play 4 – 8 min quarters of the game treading water, they’re not allowed to touch the bottom, even when the clock stops!

Endurance. We know what it is, it’s reaching down to something that’s really deep in side of us, maybe a survival instinct or something, something that gets us through a really tough spot, that normally would send us down for the count.

So St. Paul tells the Hebrew readers of his letter, “Persevere! Hold on! Dig deep and get the job done!” Since what he tells the applies to us, he’s telling us that when stuff gets hard to take turn your attention to yourself, if you dig deep enough you can get a hold of that unique human quality called faith and win the race! Right! After all that’s endurance, right?

Wait a second! I don’t think that that’s what he’s saying at all. To really get what he’s talking about we’ve got to back up a few verses. We could take it that way except for one troublesome little word right there at the beginning of the text. “Therefore” In other words he’s saying, because of all that I just said, what do what I’m about to say. So what is he talking about that sets the stage for this endurance we’re suppose to have.

Well, it’s the great faith chapter of scripture. It’s St. Paul’s description of faith in action. It’s endurance on steroids! And it starts with that wonderful, yet confusing phrase, Now faith is the assurance of thing hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb 11,1)

Then he goes through a long list, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah. And the first section turns on these words; These all died in faith, not having received the things promised. (v 13) then it goes to Moses who chose to be to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (v 25). And the children of Israel who wandered in the dessert for 40 years before they received the Promised Land. These were all real people who did real things in a real world. They are Paul’s example of endurance. But wait! He’s not quite done yet. This sounds pretty good. Starting at verse 32:

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.

Ah that sound’s pretty good doesn’t it! Sounds like running a winning race. But Paul doesn’t stop there listen to this:

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, (Hebrews 11:32-39, ESV)

And now, after all that Paul says “therefore” run with endurance. I think it’s that last part that Paul is really emphasizes, you know the being imprisoned part; the living destitute part; the being sawed in two part.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Notice how even though some of the folks he mentioned seemed to have a great victory while others only suffered, not one of them received the promise… yet. And yet they are the example of endurance, a great cloud of witnesses that’s before us. They all believed. They all had faith. But let me tell you, St. Paul isn’t talking about some deep down human quality here. He’s not saying “they toughed it out so you can too.” He’s pointing to something even better even stronger than something human beings can dredge up in time of need. And it’s all right here in these few words that he says to us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV)

Let us also lay aside the weight, the sin, just like they did. Then Paul tells us exactly how to do that; he says “looking to Jesus the found and perfecter of our faith.” That’s what they did, that cloud of witnesses. They faithfully set aside the sin that could have entangled them. They ran the race that was given them, even if it meant getting sawed in two. They put their eyes on Jesus and ran to Him.

You see, their faith wasn’t some abstract quality, their faith had an object. It was Jesus. It was what He does to get rid of the burden and weight of sin. They could run whatever race they were given to run because of Jesus.

Now the really amazing thing is that they didn’t see Jesus as clearly as you and I do. They didn’t have the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross carrying our sin, so that we can lay it aside. St. Paul mentions that too.

They did not receive what was promised, since God has provided something better for us.

Someone asked me why I’d like to have a cross with Christ’s body here in the sanctuary. (I’m not talking about replacing what’s already here). Well, St. Paul says that clearly too: we preach Christ crucified. (1 Corinthians 1:23a, ESV) That’s what he means when he says, looking to Jesus. Jesus Christ crucified dead and buried! That’s where He gave our faith a foundation. That’s where He perfected it. That’s the object of our faith, so says Paul.

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)

And that’s why the endurance. Everything around you would have you look somewhere else. “What good is Jesus if He doesn’t make your life easy?” “Jesus can be your financial advisor if you just follow these ten easy steps you’ll be financially secure.” “Jesus is one way to heaven; I’ve got another way to get there.” That’s taking our eyes off of Jesus… on the cross.

I told you when I first came here, that Jesus Christ and Him crucified would be the focus of everything we do. And it is so easy to get side tracked. Satan’s got to mix us up into thinking that other things are more important (and right now he’s got his fingers in just about everything we’re trying to do) He doesn’t want us to be focusing on the cross. He wants us focusing on our sin. He doesn’t want us looking to Jesus; he wants us worrying about the weight. Because he knows what Paul is really saying. And so do you, it is the object of our faith.

It’s simple. Jesus Christ carried your sins, the weight that so easily tangles, to the cross. There He bled and died and buried them in the grave. You don’t have to carry the burden. You don’t have to work to remove them. You don’t have to do anything but drop them at the foot of the cross, where He picks them up and does away with them forever. So that you can run… without the weight that side tracks; without the sin that would have us at each other’s throats; without the load of worrying about how others have hurt us; with endurance… right to the cross. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The Three “Solas” of the Reformation – Sola Fide

Reformation Sermon Series - The Three “Solas” of the Reformation – Sola Fide

The Three “Solas” of the Reformation
A Three Week Sermon Series
For the Reformation
This Week
Faith Alone

The Three “Solas” of the Reformation
…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus(Romans 3:23-24, ESV)

The Three “Solas”

• Sola means “alone”
• Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone
• Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
• Sola Fide – Faith Alone
• … all on account of Christ Alone!

Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
SOS!

• The Law Shows us Our Sin
• The Gospel Shows us Our Savior

Sola Gracia – Grace Alone
The Great Exchange

• Jesus takes our sin, death, and damnation and we receive his grace, life and salvation through faith in what He has done.

Quiz Question 1: True or False

• Faith is the quality that gets you through tough times
• Everyone has at least a little faith

What is Faith?

• Biblical Faith is ____ in Jesus for our salvation
• It is a ___ given through the work of the ____ _____ in ____ and _________

Quiz Question 2: True or False

• Faith is the result of human will
• It comes to us when we decide to believe in Jesus

Faith Alone

• No one can ______ to believe because without faith we are spiritually ____
• Because of our _____ nature we are born _______ of God
• Our salvation is _____ dependant on God
• Faith is ___ something we ___ to our salvation

Not This!!

• God did his part by sending Jesus into the world to pay for our sins
• Our part is faith—we must believe
• Jesus + faith = Salvation

Quiz Question 3: True or False

• Faith is a miracle of God

Faith is...

• Faith comes by ______
• Faith is not a human ____
• Faith _______ the benefits of salvation offered in ____ and _________
• Faith isn’t something that we __

As Martin Luther put it “Faith is the hand that receives the promise.”

Quiz Question 4: True or False

• The bible never speaks of faith apart from Jesus Christ

Jesus is It

• Jesus is the ______ and _______ of our faith
• That means…
• He does __ that is ________ for our salvation
• He even gives us the ____ we need to believe in him

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

• The message of the Cross is the message of God’s great love for us
• Your salvation come to you through God’s gift of faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ

Faith is the “for you”

• St. Paul tells us Baptism is “for you”
• Jesus himself tells you His Supper is “for you”
• That’s Faith Alone – Assurance that all that Jesus did is “for you”
• You are saved by the work of Jesus Christ—for you!

The Three “Solas” of the Reformation
…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)

The Three Solas of the Reformation - Grace Alone

The Three “Solas” of the Reformation – Grace alone
…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)
The Three “Solas” of the Reformation
A Three Week Sermon Series For the Reformation
This Week - Grace Alone
Today's Text:For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:20-25, ESV)
The Three “Solas”

• Sola means “alone”
• Sola Scripture – Scripture Alone
• Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
• Sola Fide – Faith Alone
• … all on account of Christ Alone!

Grace Alone

• We are _____ by his grace as a ___ (Romans 3:24)
• Grace is God’s _____________ for us, it is a ______
• God’s love is _____ to us most of all in the _____________________ of __________ (1 John 4:10)

The Parable of the Forgiving Father
An Example of “Grace Alone”
The “Lost” son

• The younger son wanted his father ____
• After he has lost _________ he returns in _________
• The father gives up _________ to restore his _____ son
• The father ______ the son, not because he ________ it, but out of _____ alone
• We are _______ because of God’s _____ alone

Grace Alone

• Christ is full of ________ and _______
• Our soul is full of ________ and _______ and there is ______ we can do to rid it
• There is __ sin for which Christ did ___ die
• Christ’s ________ and __________ alone give hope to ____ people
• Christians need _____ doubt that _______ of their sins has been ______

The Great Exchange

• Jesus takes our sin, death, and damnation and we receive his grace, life and salvation through faith in what He has done.

The Three “Solas” of the Reformation
A Three Week Sermon Series For the Reformation
Next Week - Faith Alone
The Three “Solas” of the Reformation
…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)