Is the Church Relevant?

Is the church relevant to your daily life?  Does God’s Word have a Word for you?  There have always been those who question the relevancy of churches who peach the stuffy old Word of God and sing old hymns like we sing.  Come to their “relevant” church and you will have fun and it will be relevant because its new, its you, it’s life the way you like it.  There’s a lot of clamor in our world today for something new, a departure from the “same old, same old”.  It’s true when it comes to computers and cars and technology.  You don’t stay in business if you only offer the same old thing.  You don’t stay cool with hand-me-downs and yesterday’s news.  It’s also true when it comes to religion – people want something new.

The new alternatives today really aren’t new.  Other alternatives are merely old heresies with a fresh coat of paint.  In a survey of people today, few would say they practice paganism, Gnosticism, eunomianism, enthusiasm, pharisaism.  But they do – today they go by the name of new age, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness, moral relativism, and meditation.  These all share one thing in common: they are all religions of the law.  In other words, every last one of them teaches that you win salvation, gain healing, find strength, secure divine favor and receive eternal rewards by YOUR work, YOUR meditation, YOUR efforts.  It’s up to you to save yourself.  That’s not new.  That’s an old ancient doctrine that’s been around since Genesis 3 and it hasn’t saved a single person yet!

Within Christianity, many sound the call for something new.  They say we should have new worship to keep up with the times and people.  We should adopt new doctrinal positions to become more open and tolerant of other lifestyles.  We must imagine a new vision for reaching those around us. 

In the middle of all this, we gather for worship.  We speak creeds that go back more than a millennia and a half.  We sing liturgy that goes even further back.  We read Scripture lessons that make those creeds and liturgy look young.  And with all of this, we proclaim the same simple but urgent message of sin and grace!

Sin and grace.  It may not sound new to you and me, because we’ve heard it time and time again.  What should be our response to such repetition?  Sheer thankfulness and joy!  The Lord continues to shower this message of salvation upon us.  We come to worship as people with a variety of concerns, worries, and problems.  We come with blessings to celebrate.  As we worship we hear God proclaim that Jesus died on the cross to redeem us.  With that Word, the Lord declares forgiveness of those sins and struggles that trouble us.  By God’s authority, He sends the devil away.  He gives us His Word that He will use all things to our good, and that He will deliver us from this sinful world to life everlasting.

   
Jesus asked the disciples, “Will you go away?”  And Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God.”  May we confess with our lives, with our worship, with our mission, that God’s Word alone has the authority to be relevant for us.

 

The Star of Epiphany

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.  (Matthew 2:1-2)

Today is the day of Epiphany.  You all know the plot line of Epiphany.  Epiphany is normally the day when the Wise Men are the stars of the day.  It is their day in the spotlight, their day to take center stage.  Epiphany is the day the cameras focus on the Magi, coming from the East to bring gold and frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. 

In Numbers 24:17, God had promised, “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”  It’s likely the Wise Men had studied that passage and interpreted it to mean that a star would mark the birth of the One who would hold the scepter of Israel, that is, the Great King.

You know the story.  The Wise Men travel a great distance to Jerusalem to find the newborn King of the Jews.  They consult with wicked King Herod, who pretends to wish to worship Jesus too.  Then, leaving Jerusalem, they complete their journey to Bethlehem and reach their goal.  But the Wise Men aren’t really the “stars” of the day on Epiphany – the star is!

The star that brightly shined in the East is God’s invitation for all people to worship One Savior.  The Wise Men were faithful because they had something to place their faith in – God’s promise of a Savior.  

God put the star in the sky where all could see.  That was God’s way of announcing that Gentiles too, people of all lands and languages and backgrounds, are included in those promises.  We are included – you and I, and all people.

The message of Epiphany is: Christ Jesus is our Savior no matter who we are, where we are, or how sinful we are.  May this be what you think of when you hear the word “Epiphany” - God’s bright shining Light revealing His love and salvation for you!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, or so the famous Christmas song tells us.  Although there is great joy this time of year, there is also an increase in loneliness, sadness, depression, and heartache.  Maybe you’ve had one of those weeks already: you’re fighting that cold that just won’t go away; you’re just plain tired and frustrated.  Or maybe you’ve been shopping and have become discouraged in what you’ve been able to find.  Or you’re overcome by thoughts of a loved one who has recently passed away, and you’re filled with loneliness or some other burden on your heart.

So how can we find joy in the midst of all the troubles and worries that this world brings?  We turn to Christ and His Word.  Martin Luther writes, “To achieve joy we must cling wholeheartedly to the Word and find comfort in the thought that Christ has so solemnly promised to be with us, together with the Father, and to protect us, so that no misfortune will harm us, no power of the devil and the world will crush us or tear us away from Him.  In this way we constantly find comfort and joy, and we become increasingly happy as time goes on.  The joy of the Christian endures forever (as its foundation stands forever), remains firm and increases in the midst of external sorrow and misfortune.”

As we cling to Christ and His Word we find a real joy – a lasting joy.  He promises that out of our limitations, He brings possibilities.  Out of our weaknesses, He brings strength.  Out of our timidity and fear, He brings confidence.  It is God’s intention that we be filled with joy.  The Good News is that we are not left on our own to find or achieve this joy.  We are given this joy in the gift of Christ.  The gift of Jesus, the living Word made flesh, full of grace and truth is what allows us to rejoice.  Lasting joy is found by trusting the Word of God and what is says about us: we are redeemed through Jesus Christ!

Rejoice this Advent season in the Good News that Christ our Savior is born for you!

Wake Up!

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake up from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.  So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  Romans 13:11-13

The Advent season will begin anew in a few short days.  It’s a time for living in the forgiveness of sins that God offers us daily through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It’s a time to be thankful and expectant as we look forward to Christ’s return in glory.  And according to Paul – it is time to “wake up” and to “put on Christ”.

The Christian author, Max Lucado writes, “Don’t be troubled by the return of Christ.  Don’t be anxious about things you cannot comprehend.  For the Christian, the return of Christ is not a riddle to be solved or a code to be broken, but rather a day to be anticipated.”

Advent is the season of expectancy – looking forward to something God is doing.  What could possibly be new and exciting about the season of Advent, you say?  “We go through it every year!”

Well, because of what God has already done – the sending of His Son on that first Advent to become the Word made flesh to live, die, and rise from the dead to pay for our sin and redeem us for salvation as His adopted children – we are to “wake up” to what God is doing right now to bring this same salvation to the world around us.  God is with us through the means of grace – Word and Sacrament – strengthening and nourishing us for life in Him.

That’s the excitement and the expectancy of Advent.  Christ comes to us.  He is Immanuel – God with us!  In and amongst the darkness of our world, Christ comes to us and abides with us.  He has given us the gift of salvation that is ours now!  The day is at hand.  So then let us cast off the works or darkness and put on the armor of light.

What a great gift our Savior gives to us this Advent!

Throwback Thursday

Thursdays on social media can be fun.  Many people participate in the #ThrowbackThursday craze.  Pictures are posted all over of good memories from the past.  Trips and vacations.  Good times from back in college.  Memories of growing up.  Remembering friends and loved ones.  The list could go on and on.  I'm sure one of the reasons Throwback Thursday is so popular is because of the good feeling we get when we remember fond times from the past.

The devil, though, would have us celebrate a different kind of Throwback Thursday.  You see, one of the many devices the devil uses is to throwback sins in our faces.  The devil loves to bring back old feelings of guilt over poor decisions.  He loves to drudge up old grudges, open old and painful wounds, and throw past sins back at us.  As the devil puts up his slideshow of our painful memories and failures, he throws some difficult questions our way.  "How could God possibly love you?  How could God really forgive you for that?"

The good news is that no matter what kind of accusations the devil throws our way we have the cross of Jesus Christ.  "If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:8-9.  Our Savior lived the perfect life that we simply could not, died for the very sins the devil accuses us of, and rose victoriously from the grave to ensure victory over death and the devil - for us!

So when the devil throws your sins, guilt, and pains back at you - respond with the cross.  Throw back at him the victorious words, "I am baptized into Christ".  The devil has no response for that - for you are a forgiven and redeemed child of God!

Satan, hear this proclamation:  I am baptized into Christ!

Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed.

Now that to the font I've traveled, All your might has come unraveled,

And against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!

LSB #594



Veterans Day

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

As our nation celebrates Veteran’s Day, we have the privilege to say “thank you” and offer our collective debt to our fellow citizens who have served our country well.  We live in a country that offers far too much honor and recognition to sports figures, movie stars, music and TV personalities whom we misguidedly call “heroes and role models.”  On this one day of the year, we thank our Veterans and remember their bravery and courage – but this day should inspire and encourage us to honor our Veterans – our true heroes and recognize them as role models for they are truly the finest soldiers in the world.

Veterans Day must never be relegated to a one-day remembrance but a daily prayer of thanksgiving to God for the men and women - our grandparents and great grandparents, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, sons and daughters - whom we honor as we live in the freedom they have given to us with the gift of themselves to serve both God and country.

So as this Veterans Day evokes such great emotion and patriotism, I pray that it also leads us to seek the comfort and promises of God as we honor our heroes to the glory of Jesus Christ.

In Joshua chapter 1, we find Joshua, mourning his mentor and friend, Moses, who had died; but his greatest challenges still were ahead of him – the Promised Land wasn’t theirs yet; there were battles to be fought, a war to be waged – but all he had to do was remember the promise God had given him.

“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go”.  That is the promise Joshua held onto, the promise our Veterans held onto as they served God and our country, and the promise that all of us as Christians hold onto as we live daily in the freedom God has given us through the service of our Veterans.

May God continue to bless our Veterans and our Country this and every day – and may the freedom we enjoy lead us to give thanks to God for His steadfast love and His sure and certain promises!

 

All Saints' Day

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. 1 John 5:4

The celebration of All Saints' Day can be summarized in one word – victory! This is not victory in the worldly sense of winning a game or something like that – but the victory we celebrate is the victory won for us and given to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The world sees victory in a different way. In the sports world, one of the most recognizable symbols of victory is the Nike “swoosh”. Nike has made millions of dollars because people want to wear that same “swoosh” that numerous championship athletes wear. In fact, the brand name “Nike” comes from the Greek word “nikos” which means – victory. But of far more importance than any sports victory is the victory spoken of in 1 John 5:4, “And this is the victory that has overcome the world”.

This All Saints' Day we celebrate the victory that was won for us by Jesus Christ – a victory that has overcome the world and the sin and death that it includes. As we remember our loved ones who have died and are now rejoicing in eternal life – we give thanks to God for the victory he won for them to give them eternal life. We also rejoice in the certain fact that Christ’s victory is our victory – not just when we die, but right now that victory is ours!
As we celebrate All Saints' Day, let our hearts and minds rejoice along with all the saints on earth and in heaven as we remember the victory that is ours through Jesus Christ!