tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20515266082336316202024-03-17T23:00:32.990-04:00St. Athanasius Lutheran ChurchRecent Sermons and Weekly Devotional HelpsPastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.comBlogger810125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-2321704541115894802024-03-17T05:47:00.002-04:002024-03-17T18:49:11.109-04:00Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent5.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Promise Fulfilled”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 10:32-45; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:1-10</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Has anyone ever broken a promise made to you? Have you ever broken a promise you made? I don’t know of <i>anyone</i> who would say no to either of those questions. In fact, it happens so much in our world today that we even have a saying about it! <i>Promises are made to be broken</i>. Meaning: promises are made with no intention of keeping them. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That secret you promised not to tell a soul? But you just had to tell <i>someone</i>! What about the marriage vow: to be faithful unto death? How many routinely, and sometimes serially, break that? It’s hard to keep promises. Times change. Situations change. The quote I mentioned: <i>Promises are made to be broken</i>, actually, originally was, when it was coined in the 17th century: <i>Promises, like pie-crust, are made to be broken</i>. They are by nature fragile and not meant to last.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We’ve come a long way from another saying about promises, when in the 4th century BC Aristotle said: <i>A promise made must be a promise kept</i>. Promises just aren’t thought of that way by most anymore. If I can, I will. As long as it doesn’t cost me too much, I will. As long as nothing better or more important come along, I will. That is more likely. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So maybe in our day and age, we should have a new saying, to reflect the times; something like: <i>Promises, like the date on a gallon of milk, are meant to expire</i>. They’re only good for so long. And beyond that . . . ? Well, you take your chances.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This change has come at a cost. Broken marriages. Broken friendships. A general lack of trust that has settled in. No one expects people, like politicians, to keep their promises anymore. We hope they do. But aren’t we surprised when they do? And when you learn you cannot rely on someone else, then it’s every man for himself. You are the only one you can count on. Which is sad. That’s not how we were created to be. It’s not good for the man to be alone. Satan continues to divide and conquer.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And not just to divide us from one another, but to divide us from God. To divide us from God by getting us to project our unreliability, our untrustworthiness, onto Him. So, does God hear your prayer? Well, He <i>promised</i> to, but . . . That’s satan hissing doubt into your ear: But can you rely on that promise? Can you trust God? Doesn’t it really depend on whether you’re worthy? Whether you’re good enough, and praying the right way? And what about forgiveness? Does God fully and freely forgive you? Well, He <i>promised</i> to, but . . . But you’ve sinned too much. You don’t really think He will forgive you over and over and over again, do you? Would you? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And with this, faith is eroded. Little by little, bit by bit. For we put our faith in the words and promises of God, that what He said He will do; what He promised is and will be fulfilled. But if we can’t trust those promises . . . then where does faith go? <b>On myself</b>. To make myself worthy. To make myself deserving of God’s favor. And then satan will do one of two things: (1.) puff you up with pride, that you are, in fact, doing just that! You are worthy! Better than most. Why, you don’t even need God that much! Just a bit, you know. Now and then. Until <i>now</i> becomes less and less, and <i>then</i> becomes more and more, and God gradually fades from your life. Or if not that, then: (2.) satan will crush you with despair, that you’ll never be worthy, that you’ll never be good enough. That you’re nothing to God. So in the first case, God becomes nothing to you, and in the second case, you become nothing to God. And the divide is complete.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You may not be at either of those places right now, but do not think you are immune. Who among us hasn’t been prideful? Who hasn’t been despairing? Who among us hasn’t been led down those roads a step or two . . . or more! . . . by satan trying to tempt us, lead us, lure us away from God? I’ve been down both roads. You?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But today we heard of our God who both <i>makes</i> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> <i>keeps</i> His promises. Not sometimes, not when it is convenient, not when it is easy, and not when we deserve it - but because He is faithful and trustworthy. A God we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">can</span> rely on and count on and believe in. A God who will lay down His life for us. To save us.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so Jesus goes to Jerusalem to die. We heard Him say those words again today. <b><i>See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.</i></b> But this is not first time Jesus spoke such words. It is <i>the third time</i>, in fact, that we are told of. Today was from Mark chapter 10. In Mark chapter 8, Jesus told His disciples this, but with even stronger words - this <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>must</b></span> happen, He says. It <i>must</i>, because He promised. And then in Mark chapter 9, Jesus tells them this again, right after the glory of His Transfiguration. There, He says, this <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>is</b></span> going to happen. He is going to fulfill His promise to lay down His life for the life of the world. And then here, in chapter 10, He says for the third time, that this <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>will</b></span> happen. They are now very near Jerusalem, and when they get there, this <i>will</i> happen. And then in Mark chapter 11, in words we will hear next week, Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The week begins with Jesus being hailed as king. And, huh. Maybe things will be alright after all. But what Jesus says <b>must</b> happen, <b>is</b> going to happen, and <b>will</b> happen, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>does</b></span> happen. And the week will end with King Jesus on a cross-shaped throne of wood. Promise kept.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We’ll hear the details all next week, that this was no easy promise keeping. From His agony in the Garden, to His betrayal, to the mock trials and false witnesses, to His abuse by the soldiers, His flogging by Pilate, and then the pain of the cross. But the words and promises are ironclad. What He says, He does. What He promises, is fulfilled. Reliable, trustworthy, faithful. That is your God.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And we need to keep hearing that because satan keeps telling us different, and the world keep telling us different, and our experience keeps teaching us different. But God is different. And Jesus shows us that. Making His way to Jerusalem <i>knowing</i> what will happen there. But He will not be deterred. Your life is far too important for Him not to go.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For if Jesus was going to give up on anyone, it would have been His disciples! The first time He told them of His crucifixion, Peter rebuked Him. The second time, they argue about which of them is the greatest. And the third time, James and John can think only of their own glory and getting the places of honor. Really? But Jesus did not give up on them, <b>and He does not give up on you</b>. Jesus fulfills His high priestly vocation. He establishes the new testament in His blood. So that what He said is true: <b><i>I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That is surely one of the sweetest and most comforting promises in all of Scripture. Your <b><i>iniquity</i></b>, your guilt, is <b><i>forgiven</i></b>; and your <b><i>sin</i></b> - all your evil thoughts, words, deeds, and desires, are <b><i>remembered no more</i></b>. Which <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>doesn’t</i></span> mean that an all-knowing God forgot them! We forget things. We forget things because our brains don’t work they way they should. God doesn’t forget as we do. Rather, He says here, that <b><i>I will remember their sins no more</i></b>. That’s different. When you forget something, you might un-forget it later - it might come back to your mind. But not with God. Your sins aren’t coming back. Because He didn’t just forget them, <b>He dealt with them</b>. He took them away from you and put them on His Son on the cross. Jesus paid the price for them with His death, was buried in the tomb, and then rose without them. So your sins cannot separate you from God anymore. The division satan seeks and is working for, has been overcome by Jesus; by the one who was God and man in one person, overcoming that division in His own flesh and blood.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think it’s interesting that these three statement of Jesus about His death and resurrection are bracketed by Him giving sight to blind men. Just before the first time He speaks of His cross, He heals a blind man; and right after the third time that we heard today, He heals another blind man. Could be coincidence. But maybe not. Maybe Jesus on the cross is what opens our eyes and enables us to see God as He really is: the promise-keeping, reliable, steadfast, trustworthy, faithful God. And not sometimes, not when it is convenient, not when it is easy, and not when we deserve it, but even when it meant the death of His own Son.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So we’ve been singing all this Lenten season, </span><i style="font-size: large;">let us fix our eyes on Jesus </i>(Gradual)<span style="font-size: medium;">. For that is what makes all the difference in the world. The difference while we live, and the difference when we die. The difference when things are going well, and the difference when things are falling apart. The difference when we are filled with pride, and the difference when we despair. Through all the ups and downs of this world and life, that is what remains the same, consistent, and unchangeable: the love of God for you in Jesus, in Christ crucified. The Word of God made flesh, and the Word of God who fulfills all the words and promises of God. All for you. For your life. For your salvation.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So come now and fix your eyes - your eyes of faith - on Jesus as He comes and feeds you with His Body and Blood. Here is the new testament in Jesus blood. Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And so as you hear, <i>the true body and blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ </i>- of the faithful and steadfast one -<i> will keep and preserve </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span><i> steadfast unto everlasting life</i>. And so we can <i>depart in peace</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So are you a sinner? Come, take and eat. Are you a promise-breaker? Come, take and eat. Have you been prideful or despairing toward God? Come, take and eat. Have your prayers and good works faltered? Come, take and eat. Have you doubted God and His love for you? Come, take and eat. Are you sorry for who you are and what you have been and want to do better? Come, take and eat. And depart in peace, <b><i>your sins are remembered no more</i></b>. Not now, not ever. He promised. And this season of Lent shows us: <b>promise fulfilled</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-84702526071618033342024-03-14T09:23:00.001-04:002024-03-17T05:46:06.917-04:00The Congregation at Prayer<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>For the Week of Lent 5 </b>(March 18-23, 2024)</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Invocation: </b><i>In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Speak the Apostles’ Creed. </span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Verse: </b>Psalm 118:24 – <i>”This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hymn of the Week: </b>Lutheran Service Book #440<b> </b><i>“Jesus, I Will Ponder Now”</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hymns for Sunday: <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/80070" target="_blank">442</a>, <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/83434" target="_blank">440</a>, <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/150295" target="_blank">454</a> (vs. 1-4 ONLY), <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/99124" target="_blank">634</a>, <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/81856" target="_blank">441</a>, <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/80119" target="_blank">444</a>, <a href="https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/82633" target="_blank">544</a> (vs. 1-6 ONLY)</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Readings for the Week:<i> </i></b><i>[The readings for <b>Wedne</b></i><b><i>sday-Saturday</i></b><i> are the Scriptures for this coming Sunday.]</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monday: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A19–29&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 118:19–29</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>How is Jesus the gate of the Lord? the cornerstone? the festal sacrifice? What is the </i>new<i> day that the Lord has made? How?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31%3A9–16&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 31:9–16</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">How do you hear Jesus in this psalm? How can this psalm be helpful to you when things are tough in your life?</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+9%3A9–12&version=ESV" target="_blank">Zechariah 9:9–12</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">What kind of king is Jesus? What is He coming to do? How will He do it? What kind of peace does He bring?</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A5–11&version=ESV" target="_blank">Philippians 2:5–11</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">How did Jesus humble Himself? How did the Father exalt Him? Why are we afraid to humble ourselves as He did? Why do we not need to be?</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Friday: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A12-19&version=ESV" target="_blank">John 12:12-19</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">What did the crowds do when Jesus came? What did they cry out? Why did they do these things?</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A1+-+15%3A47&version=ESV" target="_blank">Mark 14:1 - 15:47</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Passion according to Saint Mark.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Catechism - The Creed, the First Article [Part 3] </b>– I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. <i>What does this mean? </i>I believe that . . . He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Collect for the Week: </b>Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Prayers:<i> </i></b>Please pray for . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">+ yourself and for all in need (remembering especially those on our prayer list).</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">+ God’s blessing and in thanksgiving for our congregation’s keyboardists, choir, and musicians.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">+ the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belgium, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for Lutheran Braille Workers.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer from the Catechism.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Now joyfully go about your day (or to bed) in good cheer, child of God!</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i></i></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 57px; text-indent: -57px;">Collect for the Week © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 57px; text-indent: -57px;">Lutheran Service Book Hymn License: 110019268</p><div><br /></div>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-84526095538681197942024-03-13T15:11:00.003-04:002024-03-14T05:45:15.827-04:00Sermon for Lent 4 Midweek Vespers<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent4Mid.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“40 for Life - Jonah: Repentance for Life”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 13:1-9</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">40 days and 40 nights. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s how long Nineveh had. The same number of days the rain pelted Noah and the ark. The same number of days Moses spent on Mount Sinai. The same number of days for their passage from death to life. <b><i>Forty days</i></b>, Jonah cried out, <b><i>and Nineveh will be overthrown</i></b>. Which probably meant the people would be plundered, the city would be burned, and all the living put to the sword. <i>In </i>f<i>orty days</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What would you have done? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What would you do if tomorrow you went to see the doctor and you were told you only had 40 days to live? <i>What would you do?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What would you do if we received a message from a terrorist group that in 40 days Washington would be nuked. <i>What would you do?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>did</i></span> you do when we began the 40 days of this Lenten season? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are given 40 days, <i>what would you do?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I think we would try to save our lives</b>. If the doctor told you you only had 40 days to live, we’d find another doctor to see if there was something that could be done to prolong our days. If we were told there would be a terrorist attack, we would get out of here, away from here, to someplace safe.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps thoughts like that crossed the minds of the people of Nineveh, too. 40 days, huh? Okay! We have 40 days to reinforce the walls of the city. 40 days to get ready to fight. 40 days to prepare for a siege. Or, 40 days to flee. But that is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> what they did. Because the one who would overthrow them was not a nation with an army, but a God - the God of Israel. And how do you get ready to save your life from God? <b>You repent</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s what the people of Nineveh did. Even the king! <b><i>From the greatest of them to the least of them</i></b>, we heard, they fasted and put on sackcloth. The king even called for the beasts to participate in this fasting and sackcloth! But not only this, but for all people to <b><i>call out mightily to God</i></b>. To pray. To beseech His mercy. And not only to repent with their mouths but with their deeds - <b><i>everyone turned from his evil way and from the violence that was in his hands</i></b>. At the preaching of the Word of the Lord, Nineveh was transformed from a den of iniquity into a chapel of fasting, prayer, and repentance. They did not know, but they hoped, that God would relent; that they would not perish.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s quite remarkable, that change. But perhaps <i>even more</i> remarkable is God’s willingness to relent and forgive. <i>Which He did</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And though we did not read it tonight, that God did <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> destroy them made Jonah mad! Jonah did not want them to be forgiven, which is why he tried so hard not to go there in the first place. Jonah did not think they deserved to be forgiven. They were too evil. Too far gone. <i>There are limits, you know!</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We <i>think</i> we know, anyway. Peter famously asked about that once, remember that? <i>Lord, how many times do I have to forgive</i> </span>(Matthew 18:21)<span style="font-size: medium;">? But you’re quite right, Jonah, in this regard - the people of Nineveh did <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> deserve to be forgiven, no matter how long they repented, no matter how greatly they fasted and prayed. But neither do you deserve forgiveness, Jonah! And neither do we, O Christians. Do you think they were worse sinners than us? Or were those Galileans whose blood were mingled with their sacrifices worse sinners? Or were those upon whom the tower in Siloam fell worse sinners? Are those illegal immigrants worse sinners? Are murderers worse sinners? Rioters? Looters? Those who lie, cheat, and steal to get ahead? <i>Who are</i> the really bad sinners in our day and age, in our world today? You know. <b>They are sitting in these chairs tonight</b>. For as Jesus said, <b><i>unless </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>you</i></b></span><b><i> repent . . . </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Not</span> unless the people of Nineveh become like you, but unless you become like the people of Nineveh! . . .<b><i> you will all likewise perish</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so, Lent. 40 days and 40 nights for us to be like the people of Nineveh. To repent of who we are and what we have done. <b>40 days from death to life</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But here is where we are different than the people of Nineveh and will never be like the people of Nineveh: <i>they did not know</i> if the Lord would relent and forgive them. <i>We do</i>. We know. Not only because we have the book of Jonah and so know how the story turned out, but because we have the books of the prophets and the apostles which tell us how the story turns out. That God, in fact, did <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> relent of the disaster He decreed because of our sin, <b>but poured it out on His Son instead</b>. Jesus and His cross became the barren, fruitless tree that was cut down. And in its place a new tree was planted. A fruit-<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>full</i></span> tree. A new tree of life. Nineveh was a great city, three days journey in breadth. But the three day journey Jesus took from death to life was even greater, and provided an even greater city for us - the City of God.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Knowing this, then, the season of Lent is our 40 days of repentance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Our</i></span> 40 day journey from death to life. To repent not just with our words, but also with our deeds. To turn away from the bad practices and bad habits that have wormed their way into our hearts and minds and lives, and confess. And confessing, rely on the mercy of God. And relying on the mercy of God, turn to the cross, where we see that mercy in full display - the Lamb of God, the Son of God, who laid down His life to give us life. For <i>Jesus sinners doth receive</i> </span>(LSB #609)<span style="font-size: medium;">. Jesus sinners doth <span style="text-decoration: underline;">forgive</span>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So 40 days. On the one hand, that’s not very many days. On the other hand, it’s hard to maintain a Lenten discipline for that long, through all 40 days. But realize, you may not have 40 days of life left. <i>Man knows not his time</i> </span>(Ecclesiastes 9:12)<span style="font-size: medium;">. And our times are in His hands, the hands of our Father. <b>But there is no better place to be</b>. The hands of the world? unpredictable and unreliable. Kind one moment and angry the next. Helping one moment and betraying the next. But the hands of our Father always the same. <i>Merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love</i> </span>(Psalm 86:15)<span style="font-size: medium;">. Nineveh found that out. Sadly, later they fell away and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">were</span> overthrown. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But for us, every year the call goes out. The call of a Jonah, the call of a Joel, the call of a John the Baptist, calling us to repentance. Calling us to 40 days for life. To once again <i>cast off the sins which weigh us down and cling so closely, and fix our eyes on Jesus</i> </span>(Hebrews 12:1-2)<span style="font-size: medium;">. That we be fruitful branches again. That the repentance and discipline of Lent bring us to the joy and life of Easter and be the dying and rising we learn to live everyday. Everyday turning to and relying on our good and gracious God. That we not perish, but have eternal life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grant this Father, for the sake of Your Son and through the power of Your Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-16005938806493535922024-03-10T14:24:00.001-04:002024-03-10T14:24:28.681-04:00Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent4.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Merciful Serpents?”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The people of Israel were in trouble. Deep trouble. They were dying. If God hadn’t intervened, how many would have died there in the wilderness? They hadn’t learned much in 40 years. 40 years ago they grumbled against God and against Moses, and now they were doing it again. So this was not new. Grumbling, not patience, doubt, not trust, was in their DNA. What God had said was true: they were a rebellious and stiff-necked people. So they were in trouble. Deep trouble. They were dying.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So God had mercy on them and sent fiery serpents among them.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wait! <i>Whaaaaat?</i> Oh . . . you thought . . . no! The people were dying <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> because of the serpents, they were dying because of their <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>unbelief</i></span>. They were <b><i>dead</i></b> and dying <b><i>in their trespasses and sins</i></b>, to use the words that we heard from St. Paul today. They were dying because they kept turning away from God and thinking God not good, not loving, not faithful, not trustworthy. And God, on more than one occasion, was ready to throw His hands up and give up on these people. But God is faithful and trustworthy and good and loving and merciful. So He did not. Instead He sent the serpents. <i>To save them</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or, to use the words of the Apostle John that we heard (slightly modified!): <b><i>For God did not send [the serpents] to the people to condemn them, but in order that they might be saved through them</i></b>. Because <b><i>whoever believes in Him in not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already</i></b>. Their unbelief was the problem. The serpents were the solution. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And they did the trick! The people returned to the Lord. They repented. And once again, God was merciful and gracious. He instructed Moses to make <b><i>a bronze serpent on a pole</i></b> that could be lifted high, so that when the people were bit, they could look at this sign of God’s mercy, this sign of God’s power, and by faith in the word and promise of God attached to this sign, they would not die, but live. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Both</span> their physical lives <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> their spiritual lives. Or, again, to use the words of the Apostle Paul: <b><i>But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive . . . by grace you have been saved</i></b>. By grace. Because the people of Israel certainly didn’t deserve it! It was a gift, from a merciful, gracious, live-giving God.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Now what about you?</i> Because this sinful and unclean, unbelieving and grumbling DNA that was in the people of Israel, <b>you, too, have</b>. Passed down from parents to children, so that when we are born into this world alive physically, we are at the same time born <b><i>dead in our trespasses and sins</i></b> spiritually. Though you <i>feel</i> very much alive, right? Especially when you’re young and your whole life is ahead of you and full of possibilities! What are you going to be? Who are you going to marry? Where are you going to live? And that’s exciting, and it’s good. And it is exciting for old folks like me to watch you grow and mature and spread your wings as well.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But like cancer that grows inside you, that you may not even realize is there, but is growing and spreading and metastasizing, eating you alive, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>so it is with sin. That even though we may <i>feel</i> very much alive, the reality may be different. As sin grows. Sin which, for example, makes us think that our physical life is more important than our spiritual life. Could that be you? What do you spend more time thinking about and caring for? Do you read books and articles on health and nutrition, while the Bible stays on the shelf? Invest lots of money in health clubs and exercise equipment, but not so much for the work of God? Train and learn for a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">profession</span> in life but not so much for your <span style="text-decoration: underline;">confession</span> of Jesus as Lord? <b>But maybe this above all:</b> we think we have life and that God is taking that life away from us with all His rules and <i>thou shalt nots!</i> So we don’t listen to them. We go against them, <i>thinking</i> that we are saving our life! When in reality we are doing the very opposite. I know this is wrong . . . I know I shouldn’t be doing this . . . I know this is not what God wants . . . <i>but</i> . . . ! But what? Is that not saving your physical life and jeopardizing your spiritual life?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So it was for the people of Israel in the wilderness. They were in trouble. They were dying. They thought they were saving their lives by turning away from God and wanting to go back to Egypt, but they were losing their lives; their spiritual lives were dying.<b> So God had mercy on them and sent fiery serpents among them</b>. <i>To save them</i>. Physical pain for spiritual life. Spiritual life that could come only by faith in the gracious words and promises of God. To be saved <i>by grace through faith</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you think there is anything happening in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>your</i></span> life right now that God in mercy sent or is using to turn <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> back to Him in repentance? Sometimes maybe we think God is punishing us, but remember: <b><i>God did not send [the serpents] to the people to condemn them, but in order that they might be saved through them</i></b>. And <b><i>God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world</i></b> (or you!), <b><i>but in order that the world</i></b> (and you!) <b><i>might be saved through him</i></b>. For that’s what God wants: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span>. You <i>with Him</i> forever. You <i>with life</i> forever.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So God had Moses lift up a pole in the wilderness with a bronze serpent on it, and He had a pole lifted up in the wilderness of this world <b>with His Son on it!</b> That <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we</span> look at Christ crucified and live. That we look at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> sign of God’s mercy, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> sign of God’s power, and by faith in the word and promise of God attached to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> sign, we not die, but live. And what is that word and promise of God attached to this sign? You know it well: <b><i>For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But this looking is not with our physical eyes, but with the eyes of faith. Seeing with our physical eyes is good and helpful, but many people see crosses or a crucifixes in our world today, and if all they see is a piece of jewelry or art, it does them no good. There is no salvation in that. But if we see there our Saviour, the one God promised and sent, the one who bore our sins, the one who is the fulfillment of all God’s word and promises, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">then</span> we have life. And <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> seeing is something both the very young and the very old, and the blind, and the prisoner with nothing but four bare walls can see. These eyes of faith were given you in Baptism, when (to use the words of St. Paul again): when <b><i>God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ</i></b>. So in the crucifixion, we see God become as we are - dead! - so that in the resurrection, we see that we become as God is - alive! By grace.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And by grace, our loving Father continues to give us life. Speaking to and teaching Israel in the wilderness, and speaking to and teaching us here. Forgiving them and feeding them, even as we receive His forgiveness and the Body and Blood of Jesus here as our food on the way. <b>And mercying us</b>. Even when that mercy takes the form of fiery serpents. A loving Father will do no less, if He truly loves you. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And that’s why our church is arranged the way it is. This is no accident. But look: the Font front and center, the Absolution takes place at the Font, front and center, the Altar front and center, and the crucifix front and center. So that when you come here, with your sins, with your doubts, with your fears, with your wrong thinking and rebellion, what do you see? </span><b style="font-size: large;">All these places, all these signs of the words and promises of God!</b> <b style="font-size: large;">Modern-day bronze serpents</b><span style="font-size: medium;">, that you </span><i style="font-size: large;">fix your eyes on Jesus</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Gradual)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">; that looking upon these things, and remembering the words and promises of God, or Christ crucified, attached to each one of these things, </span><b style="font-size: large;">you are forgiven</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> and </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>saved, by grace through faith</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And this salvation, Paul goes on to say, <b><i>is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast</i></b>. This is not your doing; you are just here to receive the gift of God. His <i>Divine Service</i> of you, for you. Which doesn’t mean you don’t do anything! You do! Just not here. Here you receive. But when you leave this place, you begin to do. To do those things, to live that life, God has raised you to. <b><i>For</i></b>, Paul says, <b><i>we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them</i></b>. Good works, which are God works. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And what are those works, which God has created for you to walk in? It is to be a godly father or mother. A faithful husband or wife. An obedient child. A diligent worker. A merciful friend or neighbor. A gracious forgiver. A protector of life. A defender of property. An advocate for the helpless. A lifter of the lowly. A praiser of the good. A fighter of evil. A visitor of the lonely. A welcomer of the outcast. A proclaimer of the truth. A man or woman, boy or girl, of prayer. And much more. What else would you add to this list? All this now, too, is the DNA in you. In you, made new, given new life, in Christ. To live in the light of Christ and to shine the light of His mercy and love into all the world. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s not easy to live such a life. You will struggle. Your old DNA, your old Adam, fighting against your new DNA, your new Christ-man. The world not liking what you’re doing - either because it exposes them and what they’re doing or not doing, or because they call good evil and evil good. And satan will be sure to rise up to either persecute you into submission, or tempt you to take it easy and not worry about such things. You don’t need to do them! Someone else will. Take care of yourself. Do what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span> want. And then also along the way, maybe God will even send some merciful serpents to you. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So knowing that,<i> what’s a soul to do?</i> Well, we’ve been singing it all this Lenten season, and it’s what all the Scriptures are about today: <i>fix your eyes on Jesus</i>. Fix your eyes on His cross. Fix your ears on His Absolution. Fix your mouths to receive His Body and Blood. And fix your hearts to receive His love. And know that long before you fixed your eyes, ears, mouths, hearts, and minds on any of this, <b>He fixed His love on you</b>. For <b><i>God so loved the world, that he </i></b>[promised, and then]<b><i> gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life</i></b>. <i>Eternal</i> life. The gift of a merciful God <i>for you</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-63027501266818932872024-03-06T14:37:00.002-05:002024-03-07T05:55:53.669-05:00Sermon for Lent 3 Midweek Vespers<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent3Mid.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“40 for Life - Israel: God’s Discipline for Life”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Deuteronomy 8:1-10; Hebrews 12:3-11, 18-24</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">40 days and 40 nights. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Actually, that sounds pretty good! <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>If</i></span> you’re Israel in the wilderness. 40 days and 40 nights was a long time for Noah to listen to the roar of the waters from inside the ark. 40 days and 40 nights was a long time for Moses to be on Mount Sinai, listening to the Lord. But 40 days and 40 nights for the people of Israel in the wilderness . . . that was a dream! They would have taken that in a heartbeat! What they got instead was 40 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>years</i></span>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s not how God planned it, of course. It only took a month - at most! - to go from Sinai to the border of the land the Lord promised to give them. The trouble started when they got there. Of the twelve spies they sent into Canaan, to spy it out, to see how they might go in, ten of the twelve told them <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> to go. The land was good, yes! Just as God had promised. But the people in it were too big. They were too powerful. The cities were too well fortified. Israel would be routed and wiped out! They were like grasshoppers compared to the people of the land </span>(Numbers 13:33)<span style="font-size: medium;">! </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So the people, filled with fear and trembling, rebelled. They forgot the mighty deeds God had done to bring them out of Egypt. They forgot how bad things were in Egypt and started making plans to abandon Moses and go back. And had it not been for Moses’ intercession for them, God would have wiped them out and started over with Moses and made of him a nation mightier and greater than Israel </span>(Numbers 14:12)<span style="font-size: medium;">. But Moses <i>did</i> intercede - not because the people deserved anything, but for the sake of God’s name, that it would not be profaned and belittled, as if God was unable to finish what He started.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, God decided, 40 years. One year for each day the spies were in the land of Canaan. That’s how long the people would have to wait. That’s how long the people would have to live in the wilderness. That’s how long God would discipline them, to teach them to rely on Him and turn to Him. <i>And to trust Him</i>. It wasn’t what God had planned, but it was what His people needed. And a loving God would do no less. It would be <b>40 years from death to life</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And yes, God was a loving God through it all. As we heard tonight, for 40 years He fed them with manna. For 40 years their clothes did not wear out. For 40 years their feet did not swell. For 40 years God provided all they needed. God disciplined them, yes; but He also shepherded them. He remained with them. He led them and protected them. All for their good.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Did it have to be 40 years? Couldn’t 40 months have done the trick? Perhaps. But as with Noah and Moses and their 40 days, this is the time of God’s choosing. For this journey, from death to life. 40 years would reflect the greatness of His Fatherly love and His long-suffering. For again, as we heard: <b><i>Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you</i></b>. And discipline is love.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It doesn’t always seem that way, though. As we heard in the reading from Hebrews: <b><i>For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it</i></b>. And this you know. From your own experience. As someone who has been disciplined, and perhaps as someone who has had to discipline another. Maybe you also know it from sports or music or another activity where you must discipline yourself - or have a coach or teacher do it - so that you make progress and improve. You also know it, perhaps, from your <i>Lenten</i> discipline, meant not as punishment for what you’ve done or not done, nor as payment to God, but as something to benefit you and strengthen you. It’s not easy and often not pleasant, but it is good.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Discipline is different than punishment, though sometimes we use those terms interchangeably. Punishment has to do with repayment, with retribution. But discipline for teaching, training, improvement. Sometimes the two overlap, but not always. When it’s happening to you, sometimes it’s hard to tell them apart. But everything from your heavenly Father is meant for your good. And the punishment you deserve? Because you do! That is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>here</i></span> (pointing to the cross). Jesus took that for you, in your place, so you are forgiven. But your Father will still discipline you, because He loves you. So that, as we heard, <b><i>we may share his holiness</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Israel needed a long discipline. It took them a long time to unlearn bad habits and wrong thinking. They had ups and downs. One step forward was often followed by two steps back. But through it all their Father was working for them and in them, to help them. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so, too, for you. <i>How is God disciplining you?</i> I know things in my own life that have not been pleasant, and sometimes downright frightening! But in the end, good for me. Things that I can now look back and pray a prayer of thanks. Then? At the time? Maybe not! But now, yes. My Father was rescuing me and turning me and saving me with His discipline. And your Father loves you enough to do that and keep doing that, even if it takes 40 years. Because at the end of your journey through this world, He wants life for you. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And it is the cross that is our focus this Lenten season that shows us that relentless love of God for us. Apart from the cross - either looking forward to it in the Old Testament or looking back to it in these New Testament times - apart from the cross, we could not know the difference between the punishment of God and the discipline of God. We could not be sure. And an unknown God is frightening. That’s why all other religions, which really don’t know the true God, the God of love, are always trying to appease Him and make Him like them. It is an endless task, and one you can never be sure you’ve accomplished. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But when we look to the cross, when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we know who God is and His love for us. We know that we cannot appease Him, <i>and that we don’t have to</i>. That has been <span style="text-decoration: underline;">done</span>. The Lamb of God <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>has</i></span> taken away the sin of the world. So what we, who are in Christ Jesus, are receiving now is good. All good. Every good. Even when that good is discipline. And of that we can be confident. The resurrection the sign and seal of that.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So again, as we heard in the reading from Hebrews, we do not live at Mount Sinai, the terrifying sight, trembling with fear in the presence of God. We live at Mount Zion, with the innumerable angels, the festal gathering, the church of the forgiven, and of those who have been sprinkled by the <b><i>blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel</i></b>. For the blood we’ve been sprinkled with, the blood of Jesus, cries out not for vengeance, but for our forgiveness. The forgiveness He earned and won and now gives to us. That we journey <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> from life to death, but from death to life. And if we need His discipline on the way? God’s discipline for life? Then thank You, Father, for loving me enough to do that. And not just these 40 days of Lent, but until You bring me home.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-64023277121225141772024-03-04T05:47:00.004-05:002024-03-04T08:08:05.428-05:00Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent3.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Zeal for You Consumes Him”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: John 2:13-25; Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What if I were to burst into a house and start tearing it apart as Jesus did? I tip over some tables and chairs, take out a wall or two, pull down some lights, rip up the carpet - what do you think? Should I be arrested? Should I have to pay for the repairs? Am I in trouble?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, it depends on whose house it is!</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If it’s not my house, well, maybe. But still it depends. I may be a workman there to renovate the house and improve it. That would be okay. If I weren’t, then I guess, call the cops.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unless . . . it’s MY house! Then I can do whatever I want to it. I can tear it apart, I can fix it up, I can change it, because it belongs to me. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So when Jesus goes into the Temple that day, as we heard, and begins overturning tables and driving out the animals, some thought He had no right to do so. He needs to be arrested and have to pay for the damage He did.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But they were wrong. The Temple was God’s house and so Jesus’ house! As He said when He was twelve years old and His worried parents found Him in the Temple with the teachers, <i>Don’t you know I must be in </i><b>my Father’s</b><i> house?</i> And He repeated that fact on this day as well: <b><i>do not make </i>my Father’s<i> house a house of trade</i></b>. And the Father’s house is the Son’s house, too. So Jesus had every right to do what He did, even if the people didn’t realize it.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And this too: Jesus had <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>also</i></span> come as the worker to renovate that house. To remodel and renew it. Soon, very soon now, all those sacrifices would no longer be necessary or needed. For the once and for all sacrifice of the Lamb of God for the sin of the world would be offered. So the Temple, as it was and had been for so long, would be obsolete. It was time for a renovation and renewal. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So Jesus coming into the Temple that day and doing what He did tells us not just something about what was going on there, but something about <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Him</i></span> - that once again He is showing Himself to be the Son of God in human flesh. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The key to this reading is not what Jesus DID, but who Jesus <span style="text-decoration: underline;">IS</span>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, the Jews wanted a sign that Jesus had the authority to do these things - that He was either sent to do this by someone with the proper authority, or that He had that authority in Himself, as the owner of the house. Show us! And Jesus’ answer is that He will - His death and then third-day resurrection will be the sign. He will redeem </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>not</i></span><i style="font-size: large;"> with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood, and His innocent suffering and death</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Small Catechism, Second Article)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. It is </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>His</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> blood, not animal blood, that will cleanse the world of sin. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>His</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> death and resurrection will renovate and renew the Church of God, His people. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what this Lenten season is about. Renovation. Renewal. Not of a building, but of your heart. To overturn the idols in your hearts. To throw out what shouldn’t be there. To drive out the sinful, shameful, and evil thoughts; the bad practices and habits we’ve fallen into. Not <i>only</i> during Lent, but <i>especially</i> during Lent. For when God calls us to repentance and comes to clean out our hearts, He has every right to do so. For He created us, and He redeemed us, and He sanctifies us. And if you think the Temple in Jerusalem at Jesus’ time was corrupt, with its money changers and sacrifice salesmen, your heart, my heart, <i>is even worse</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what the Commandments show us, which we heard again this morning. There’s only ten of them, but that’s enough. Actually, we need only one: the first. Have no other gods. Fear, love, and trust in God above <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>all</i></span> things. Every other sin comes from the fact that I fear, love, or trust something or someone else more than God. Maybe it’s me - I want what I want instead of what God wants. I get to decide what’s good for me, not God. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend or a co-worker, and I do what they want me to do because I am more afraid of what they will think of me than what God thinks of me. I don’t trust that God will provide so I covet and take. I don’t trust that God will defend so I hurt. I believe what the world says more than what God says. Shall I go on?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So Jesus comes. Has His Word preached and His gifts given. His <i>blood-bought</i> gifts. For while <b><i>zeal for [His Father’s] house consumes Him</i></b>, His <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>love</i></span> for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> consumes Him even more. That’s why Paul said, <b><i>we preach Christ crucified</i></b>. There is the love of God for you. There is the zeal of God for you. There is the cleansing, renovating, and renewing forgiveness of Jesus for you. There you see that there is nothing God won’t do to save you. To save you from satan. To save you from death. To save you from hell. To save you from your sin. To save you from a sinful and deceitful world. But perhaps most of all, to save you from yourself. The: I don’t want to lose control, I don’t want to let go, I want God to serve me, not me serve God, you.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that’s the thing - </span><i style="font-size: large;">He has!</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> God </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>has</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> come to serve you. The whole Bible is about God </span><b style="font-size: large;">coming</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> to us and </span><b style="font-size: large;">giving</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> to us and </span><b style="font-size: large;">helping</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> us and </span><b style="font-size: large;">serving</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> us and </span><b style="font-size: large;">saving</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> us. And what could be more clear than this verse: </span><i style="font-size: large;">the Son of Man came not to be served </i><b style="font-size: large;">but to serve</b><i style="font-size: large;">, and to give his life as a ransom for many</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Matthew 20:28)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. The Son of Man </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">did</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> come to serve us, and still is. That’s what the Temple was all about. God didn’t need that building. God didn’t need to be there in that. We needed Him there for us. That’s what the Divine Service here is all about. God doesn’t need any of this - we do. We need Him here for us. And that’s what the cross is all about. God come to serve us by laying down His life for us, for our life, for our forgiveness. We needed that, not Him. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, as Paul goes on to say, talking about the cross, that God chose the <b><i>foolishness</i></b> of dying on the cross, because yes! What a foolish thing for God to do! Subject Himself to such humiliation and shame and die for those who sin and continue to sin and brought death into the world and continue to kill and hurt. Save people like that? Like you? Yes. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And God chose the <b><i>weakness</i></b> of the cross to shame those who think they are so strong. You strong enough to do that? Oh, maybe for a righteous person or a good person, right? But for your enemy? Jesus loves them, loves you, like that? Yes.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And God chose the <b><i>lowness and despisedness</i></b> of the cross, to become like a piece of garbage that is being thrown out, to rescue you from that same fate. Yes. <b><i>He is the source of your life</i></b>. The God who comes to serve you. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So <b><i>we preach Christ crucified</i></b>, Paul said. We <b><i>fix our eyes on Jesus</i></b>. That’s what we’ve been singing in the Gradual all this Lenten season. We fix our eyes on Jesus - on Jesus at the Font, on Jesus in His Word, on Jesus on the Altar. These places where Christ crucified is for us today. Where His Body and Blood are for us today. Where His forgiveness and life are for us today. Where He is serving us today. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That place was </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">once</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> the Temple. That’s where God had promised to be for His people to forgive and restore them, to renovate and renew them. But it was never forever. God had much more and much greater planned that that! The building, the priesthood, the sacrifices - all of it! - pointed to and foreshadowed a far greater reality. A far greater building, priest, and sacrifice than stone, men, and animals. The building, priest, and sacrifice that would be God Himself, in the person of Jesus. Jesus is the building: </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">, Jesus said. Jesus is the sacrifice: </span><i style="font-size: large;">Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: large; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 1:29)</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> John said. And Jesus did not deny it. And Jesus is the priest: Jesus Himself is the priest who offers up Himself, the Lamb of God, for </span><i style="font-size: large;">no one takes [my life] from me</i><span style="font-size: medium;">, Jesus said - no one could! </span><i style="font-size: large;">But I lay it down of my own accord</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 10:18)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. So when Jesus came, when the Lamb of God was offered and took away the sin of the world, the Temple was no longer needed. It was obsolete. And that’s GOOD! Its time and function were fulfilled. What it pointed to and prepared for was here. Time for a renovation and renewal.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And the same will one day be true of us here and this Divine Service. All that we do here is also pointing to and foreshadowing a far greater reality. When Jesus came in the flesh, the time of the Temple came to an end. When He comes again in glory, the time of the Divine Service will come to an end. The dying and rising of Baptism and the Font will be fulfilled when we who die | will rise to life eternal on that Day. The communion of the Body and Blood of Jesus and the altar will be fulfilled when we are ushered into the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom </span><b style="font-size: large;">by the Lamb, the Son Himself</b><span style="font-size: medium;">! The angels we do not see, we will see. Those who went before us, we will be with. The Word of God we now hear we will see, as Job said: </span><i style="font-size: large;">I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Job 19:26-27)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. This will all be obsolete. And that’s GOOD! This is not the ultimate. But each day that goes by, we are one day closer to it. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So if - maybe better to say <i>when</i> - Jesus comes here and upsets you, shows you your sin, doesn’t let you go your merry way and do whatever you want, overturns the tables and drives out the sin in your heart, drives you to your knees in confession . . . when Jesus does that for you, don’t criticize Him, don’t question Him, don’t condemn Him, <i>thank Him</i>. And thank Him mostly by receiving the forgiveness and life, the renovation and renewal, He has for you and wants for you. And then <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>living</i></span> that forgiveness and new life. <b><i>Preaching Christ crucified</i></b> in all you say and do, in how you speak and live. Laying down your life for others as He laid down His life for you. Living in the faith and knowledge that this life and the things of this world and life are <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> the ultimate, the end all be all - <b>there is a greater, a far greater life, coming</b>. And as we heard and considered last week: you gonna give up that | to save this?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No, this is not the ultimate. Jesus going into the Temple that day reminds us of that. This is all returning to dust. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>You</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> are returning to dust. But when your body is destroyed and returns to the dust of death, when Jesus comes again, on the Last Day, He will raise it up - He will raise you up - to that life that has no end, </span><i style="font-size: large;">just as He is risen from the dead, live and reigns to all eternity. </i><span style="font-size: medium;">He has done it!</span><i style="font-size: large;"> </i><span style="font-size: medium;">And we confess it:</span><i style="font-size: large;"> This is most certainly true</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Small Catechism, Second Article)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-75018222466776513192024-02-29T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-29T05:00:08.613-05:00Sermon for Lent 2 Midweek Vespers<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent2Mid.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“40 for Life - Moses: God’s Presence for Life”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Exodus 24:9-18; John 6:66-69</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">40 days and 40 nights. For 40 days and 40 nights Moses was on Mount Sinai. For 40 days and 40 nights the presence of the Lord and the glory of the Lord appeared like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain. For 40 days and 40 nights Moses was in the presence of God, in the cloud, <i>listening</i>. God had much to say.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like with the flood, this was no small thing! The people of Israel were terrified at the sights and sounds they saw. The presence of God among them was at the same time both awe-inspiringly wonderful and frightening. And into His presence God called Moses. For 40 days and 40 nights. So long that after a while, the people assumed Moses was dead and wasn’t coming back. So they made plans to go on without him, and with gods of their own making.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Again, like with the flood, God could have chosen to do this whole thing more quickly. It surely didn’t have to be 40 days and 40 nights. But 40 days and 40 nights He chose, because this, too, was a significant event - to journey from death to life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Israel was on a journey at this time, from their slavery in Egypt, from which they were now free, to the Promised Land. But there was a journey even more significant than that: not from slavery to freedom, but from death to life. And the only way to life, true life, real and eternal life, is the presence of God and Word of God. Israel’s golden calf and their own words about it couldn’t do it. In fact, that robbed them of life. Only God and His Word give life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So I could have titled tonight’s service: <i>God’s Word for Life</i> instead of <i>God’s Presence for Life</i>, but it’s really the same thing. Where God is, there is His Word; and where His Word is, there is He. He comes to us through His Word, and most notably, His Word made flesh. The flesh and blood of Jesus.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So in our 40 days of this Lententide, what brings <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>us</i></span> life is the Word of God. What brings us life is not what we give to God or give up for God, but the Word God gives to us. That’s why the first of the Lenten disciplines is <b>prayer</b>. Prayer that doesn’t start with us, but starts with the Word of God. We learn to speak to God by God speaking to us. We hear, then we speak. Israel’s mistake at Mount Sinai, when they made that golden calf, was that they did and spoke before first listening to God speak and do. They decided what to do. They decided how they wanted to worship. They decided what was good for them. And it turned out not very good at all! What was in their heart and what came out of their heart <i>was idolatry</i>. Life-destroying idolatry. No Word of God, no presence of God, no life of God.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Word of God is what Moses went up on Mount Sinai to hear and bring to the people. What is sometimes forgotten, though, is <i>all</i> that Moses heard. It wasn’t just the Ten Commandments. God didn’t need 40 days and 40 nights to speak them, or even 40 minutes - closer would be 40 seconds! Yes, God spoke the Ten Commandments to Moses. Yes, this is how my people live. Yes, this is to be the way of their life. But for Israel, as for us, this is a condemning Word of God. For we do not live this way. We don’t fear, love, and trust in God above all things. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">ALL</span> things. We do not use His Name as we should. We do not treasure His Word as we should. We do not love our neighbor as ourselves. I do for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>me</i></span>, and if I have time (and usually if there’s something in it for me!), then I’ll do for you. The Law of God shows me how sinful I am. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But God spoke more than that on Mount Sinai. Much more. Not only Law, but also Gospel. God gave Moses the instructions for the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the sacrifices. For God wants to dwell with His people, in love. Not just lead them through the wilderness in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, but be with them to bless them, and forgive them. But when God came down in His glory on Mount Sinai, the people couldn’t handle it. They were terrified. So God would dwell with His people in a different way, a way that would not terrify them, a way where He could still speak forgiveness and life to them. The Tabernacle. The construction, the service of the priests, the sacrifices - it wasn’t easy. But it would be good. And for the good of His people.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So God spoke both Law and Gospel to Moses. Words of life. The Word of Law, that we turn away from our life-stealing sin, and then the Word of Gospel, so that we turn to the One who can give us life, and receive that life from Him. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so it is today, for us. For us who are also on a journey from death to life. If left to ourselves, without the Word of God, we would be like the people of Israel, because what’s in our hearts and comes out of our hearts is idolatry. The Law of God exposes that, and that should terrify us. He has told us the way of life and we have chosen the way of death. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But the Word of God Tabernacled among us. The Word of God became flesh. The Word of God brought life into our world. Healing the sick, restoring the afflicted, casting out demons, forgiving the sinner. He called people into His presence and welcomed them, to bless them. And even when the people built not a golden calf but a wooden cross and sacrificed Him on it, Jesus gave life. He spoke. Words of life. Words that gave life. <i>Father, forgive them. Today, you will be with Me in Paradise</i>. And when swallowed up by death, He then swallowed up death! Forever. Completing the journey from death to life in His resurrection and ascension. Life that He gives and is still giving, and wants to give, to all people.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so Jesus calls us into His presence here, where He has promised to be for us today, to hear Him speak His life-giving Word to us. Some, sadly, don’t want to hear it. They want to speak, not listen. They think they know the way of life, but it is not life at the end of that road. So as we heard, <b><i>some turned back and no longer walked with him</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But Jesus then asked His disciples, and the question is for us today, too: <b><i>Do you want to go away as well?</i></b> And Peter answered: <b><i>Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life</i></b>. You have the words that not just speak of eternal life, but <i>give</i> eternal life. Here He speaks and here we are healed, here we are restored, here we are cleansed, here we are forgiven, here we are blessed. Until we complete the journey from death to life. When we who received and lived in Jesus and His Word and died with Him, then rise with Him to life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He speaks, and we hear. He speaks, and is present for us. He speaks, and we have life. The presence of God for life. That’s what these 40 days of Lent are all about.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><div><br /></div>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-87946372792595422142024-02-25T14:24:00.002-05:002024-02-25T14:24:49.012-05:00Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent2.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Lot, not the Little”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 8:27-38; Romans 5:1-11</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Who do people say that I am?</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">But who do you say that I am?</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think that is usually the contrast that catches the attention of most people from the Holy Gospel we heard this morning. The difference between what the <b>crowds</b> are saying about Jesus and what the <b>disciples</b> are confessing about Jesus. The <b>crowds</b> clearly hold Jesus in high regard. <b><i>John the Baptist </i></b>and<b><i> Elijah</i></b> are pretty good company! He’s a prophet, a man of God who speaks the Word of God. And no small one at that. But the <b>disciples</b> know Jesus is even more than that. <b><i>He is the Christ</i></b>. The Saviour promised to Adam and Eve, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Moses, Joshua, and Samuel, to David and Solomon, and more. Jesus is the very Son of God in human flesh. In a category all His own. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think that is usually the contrast that catches our attention because it is still the case in our day and age. People think different things about Jesus. And while we, following in the footsteps of Peter and the other disciples, confess Jesus to be </span><i style="font-size: large;">the Christ, the Son of the living God</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Matthew 16:16)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">, many today do not. Prophet, good man, teacher, charlatan, are some of the answers today.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But I wonder if that’s really the right contrast for us to consider today, and especially in this season of Lent - this season of self-examination and repentance. Perhaps better for us to think about today is a <i>different</i> contrast we heard: <b>the contrast between the two statements of Peter</b>, when Peter first <span style="text-decoration: underline;">confessed</span> Jesus to be the Christ, but then <span style="text-decoration: underline;">denied</span> that Jesus would go to the cross. That might be a better place for us to look today, and instead of patting ourselves on the back for not being like the world and giving their answers, consider how we might be like Peter. One moment confessing and the next denying. <b>Wanting a cross-less Christ</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus was pretty tough on Peter for that! Calling him satan and wrong-headed for what he said. But strong love demands strong words. And this was no small objection Peter raised, but one that cut right to the heart of what it means for Jesus to be the Christ. For no cross, no Christ. No cross, no Saviour. No cross, only hell in your future. So the cross is not just something Jesus could do or not do; it is bound up with who He is. For without the cross, Jesus is reduced to what the crowds thought of Him; He <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>is</i></span> just another prophet, great as that may be. The cross is what separates Jesus from all others. He is not just the <i>greatest</i> prophet or the <i>mightiest</i> prophet, but <b>the dying and rising prophet.</b> This is what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>must</b></span> happen, Jesus says. And that’s a strong word: <b>must</b>. It means there is no other way, no other alternative. It <span style="text-decoration: underline;">has</span> to be this way. For Jesus to be the Christ, for Jesus to save us, He <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>must</i></span> be killed. So Peter’s rebuke needs to be rebuked. <i>Strongly</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then Jesus doubles down. Just as there is no cross-less Christ, so <b>there are no cross-less Christians</b>. Anyone who would come after Jesus, be a disciple of Jesus or a follower of Jesus, for you, too, there is a cross. <b><i>For whoever would save his life</i></b> (<i>by being cross-less</i>) <b><i>will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, what does that mean? Some think that to <b><i>take up your cross</i></b> means that you will suffer. And maybe you will. There’s a lot of suffering in our world - for Christians and non-Christians alike. So suffering doesn’t separate us from others, though maybe <i>the reason</i> for suffering does. Maybe you will suffer exactly because you confess Jesus as your Saviour, and the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">only</span> Saviour of the world. Maybe that suffering will be mild, like ridicule, or being made fun of. Maybe it will be a little more intense, like losing your job or being sued. Or maybe it will be as a martyr, actually losing your life because of your faith. That has happened in every century, and isn’t going to stop. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s closer to the meaning of the cross than just suffering. Because if you were carrying a cross in Jesus’ day, when Jesus spoke those words, that meant only one thing: <b>that cross you were carrying was soon going to be carrying </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>you</b></span><b>!</b> You were soon going to be dead. That’s what crosses were for. Pain, yes. Suffering, yes. But death, finally.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So . . . <i>Jesus wants you to die?</i> I thought Jesus came to suffer so we wouldn’t have to! That Jesus came to die so we wouldn’t have to! Right? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you see? That’s the trap Peter was falling into. He wanted a cross-less Christ and <b>we want to be cross-less Christians</b>. Now, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that</i></span> needs unpacking. Because Jesus on the cross, we get. Unlike Peter when Jesus spoke those words, we know that part. Check. We won’t be rebuking Jesus for that. But <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>do</i></span> we rebuke . . . or complain or grumble . . . at God when things don’t go right in our own lives? When there are crosses <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>we</i></span> have to bear? Rare, indeed, is the Christian who has never done that. So rare, I would say, that they do not exist.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So yes, Jesus wants you to die.<i> In order to save you</i>. But again, what does that mean? Well, Jesus helps us out as He goes on to explain, contrasting our life in this world (which doesn’t last) with the life of eternity, saying: <b><i>what does it profit a man to gain the whole world</i></b> (have everything you want here and now) <b><i>and forfeit his life</i></b> (his eternal life)? Of course, that sounds silly. Who would take a little bit of life when you could have a lot? Who would take only one dollar if you were offered millions? But is that exactly what we do? When we live for this life, and the things of this world, and forget or neglect the things that give eternal life? When what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>I</i></b></span> want comes before what God wants? When what makes <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>me</i></b></span> happy becomes the measure of all things? When <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>my</i></b></span> wisdom and thinking take the place of God’s Word as the guide to my life? Rare, indeed, is the Christian who could deny that . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To do those things puts us in a dangerous place, turning away from God and His Word and setting our hearts on a person, thing, accomplishment, or status in this world. A person, thing, accomplishment, or status that will not last, that cannot last, just as <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>we</i></span><i> are dust, and to dust we shall return</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We need a loving God to rebuke us for that, for not just <i>wanting</i> to be but <i>trying</i> to be cross-less Christians. We need to be rebuked like Peter, so that we will repent and turn back to Jesus and His Word and His ways. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So to that end, our loving God gives us crosses to bear. Crosses not just to make us suffer, but to kill that old, sinful, selfish, rebellious, foolish man or woman in us that grabs for <b>the little</b> instead of <b>the lot</b>. The cross is to kill that old man in me so that a new man can arise and live. A Jesus man. With eyes fixed on <b>Jesus</b> and on <b>the lot</b>, on the eternal, on that life not even death can end. And such crosses are not few, but in every vocation, every calling in life you have. The husband laying down his life for his bride. I don’t want to do that! I want what I want! But I am called to give up my selfishness, to kill it, for my wife, to put her before me. Or the child obeying her parents. She doesn’t want to do that! She wants to be free and do what she wants! But her parents are there for her good. So that rebellion needs to be crucified and slain, for her good. Maybe your co-worker or classmate or brother or sister drives you crazy and you want to lash out at them - don’t. Love your neighbor. And I could go, and maybe you have your own ideas and examples of crosses bouncing around in your mind. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And what makes this so hard is that those people we are called to love and serve <i>are sinners!</i> Husbands, wives, parents, children, family - <i>they’re sinners!</i> They’re wrong! They sin against me! So I need to do what I need to do! How else am I going to get what’s I deserve? How else am I going to get ahead? How else am I going to . . . save . . . my life? Oh. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Here’s the good news</span>: you already have someone who saved your life! Jesus. You don’t need to. And He promised to provide all you need. He didn’t promise it would be easy, but He did promise to provide. And what Jesus provides is never a little, but always the whole lot. So why turn away from that to save a little now? A little pleasure, a little pride, a little satisfaction, a little life? Is it really worth it?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">And here’s more good news</span>: you not only have someone who already saved your life, but saved your life while <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> were <i>the sinner</i> - the one who didn’t deserve it. For, Saint Paul said, as we heard earlier, <i>maybe someone would lay down their life for a righteous person or a good person</i>. Like, if my husband, if my wife, if my brother or sister was perfect (or, at least, not so much of a sinner!), they’d be so much easier to love! I’d be willing to sacrifice then, right? <b><i>But</i></b>, Paul says, <b><i>God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us</i></b>. That means while we were <b><i>enemies</i></b> of God, Paul goes on to say. Christ died to make enemies, friends; to make strangers, family; to make sinners, saints. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s what Jesus - <b>the Christ of the cross</b> - has done for you. He took up His cross to save you, Peter, and to save you, O Christian. And when you were baptized, that’s the new life you received as you were joined to Jesus in <span style="text-decoration: underline;">His</span> death and resurrection. Slaying the old sinner and raising up a new man or woman, a Christ-man or woman. In baptism, Jesus made you friend, family, saint. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit in you (just like Peter!), and you renounced the devil and all his works and all his ways, confessing Jesus to be the Christ. But as we continue to sin, that needs to continue. Each day. <b>As Christians of the cross</b>. Each day repenting. Each day putting that old man or woman back on the cross. Each day rising in forgiveness and living a new life. Setting our minds on the things of God, not the things of man, of this world. Setting our minds on <b>the lot</b> (of eternity), not <b>the little</b> (of this world).</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And this Supper here helps us do that as well. Lift up your hearts! we are told. We sing with the angels and archangels and all the company not just of earth but of heaven. We eat and drink the Body and Blood of the Lamb of God. Your sins are forgiven. You are friend, family, saint. <b>So what looks so little is really the lot</b>. Here is the Body and Blood of the cross, to enable you to bear your cross as well. That losing your life you gain your life, the life of Christ.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A cross-less Christ <span style="text-decoration: underline;">can’t</span> do that. A cross-less Christian <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>won’t</i></span> do that. <b>But with the cross, there is life</b>. <i>What a sentence that is!</i> With the cross, an object of death, there is life! Because of Jesus. Who transformed it. Who by His death destroyed death, and by His glorious resurrection, opened the kingdom of heaven to us. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-size: large;">So who do you say Jesus is?</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> It’s an important question. He is the Christ. He is the crucified. He is, as John says, the resurrection and the life </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 11:25)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. He is </span><b style="font-size: large;">the lot</b><span style="font-size: medium;">. So don’t let satan get you to settle for less.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-73889814227990600692024-02-22T05:17:00.007-05:002024-02-22T08:04:26.471-05:00Sermon for Lent 1 Midweek Vespers<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent1Mid.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“40 for Life - Noah: Cleansed for Life”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Genesis 6:11-22; 7:11-12; 8:1-4, 13, 20-22; Titus 3:1-8</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">40 days and 40 nights. For 40 days and 40 nights the <b><i>rains fell upon the earth</i></b>. For 40 days and 40 nights <b><i>all the fountains of the great deep burst forth</i></b>. For 40 days and 40 nights <b><i>the windows of the heavens were opened</i></b>. And the earth as Noah knew it, was no more. In 40 days and 40 nights, God brought to an end <b><i>all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This was no small thing. No cutesy children’s book story of a floating zoo. This was a cleansing. <b><i>The earth was filled with violence</i></b>. <b><i>The earth was corrupt; all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth</i></b>. And it could not go on. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So what had taken God 6 days to create, He destroyed in 40. A creation once with no violence had become <b><i>filled with violence</i></b>. A creation once without corruption or death had become completely corrupted and subject to death. The sin of Adam and Eve had metastasized into every part of creation. But in the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the fourth month, on the first day of the month, it was all gone. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">40 days of death so that there could be new life.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is the first mention of the number 40 in the Scriptures. It didn’t have to be 40. The God who created all things in 6 days could have ended them just as fast, or faster. But 40 days He chose. And the number 40 will become a significant number in the Scriptures. 40 will be a journeying number, a passage number, from death to life. That’s why the church chose 40 days for this Lenten season, this season of the death of Jesus to the life of Easter.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">40 days is a long time for us. If you’re like me, it’s hard to keep up your Lenten discipline for 40 days. It sounds not that long. It sounds like we should be able. Yet how often I fail; can’t quite make it all those days. Because like the earth in Noah’s day, the sin of Adam and Eve has metastasized in me, too. Into my mind, my will, and my heart. Corrupting all my thoughts, words, deeds, and desires. Try as I might to keep it out. <b>I am the one who needs cleansing</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But if 40 days is a long time for us, imagine how long those days were for Noah! As he listened to the rain pelting down, as he heard the roar of the waters coming from the great deep. Perhaps such noise was good, drowning out the cries of the people . . . Cries that had no doubt mocked him before for building a boat where there was no water, that had now become cries of distress and pleas for saving. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But Noah and his family were safe in the ark. Not because they were better, but because they were righteous. Because Noah and his family had also cried out in distress and with pleas for saving, and by such repentance and faith had received the righteousness of God in the forgiveness of their sins. That is what it means to be righteous in the Scriptures. It is not a righteousness that comes from us or that we can achieve. It is the righteousness that comes from above, the gift of God. The sin of Adam and Eve had corrupted Noah and his family as well, but they were saved <i>by grace through faith</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So at the end of those 40 days and 40 nights, <b><i>God remembered Noah</i></b> and his family. Not that He forgotten them and suddenly remembered! No, it means that He acted for them. Having cleansed the world with the waters of the flood, He now began new life for the world. So how appropriate that when Noah came out of the ark, the first thing he did was <b><i>build an altar</i></b> and <b><i>offered burnt offerings</i></b>. And <b><i>the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma</i></b> - <i>the aroma of faith</i>. Faith that makes one righteous. Faith that God would remember an even greater promise - the one He had made to Adam and Eve to send a Saviour. <b>To provide the cleansing from sin even greater than the great flood</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And in the fullness of time, God remembered that promise, too. And sent His Son. And upon Jesus on the cross was all the wrath against all the sin, violence, and corruption of all the world poured out. And just as at the time of Noah, there was mocking. And just as at the time of Noah, there was a cry for saving. And just as at the time of Noah, there was death. Death for the life and cleansing of the world, by the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">blood</span> of <i>God’s</i> sacrifice, <i>God’s</i> burnt offering. To give life to the world.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now for us it is through another flood, the saving flood <b>of Baptism,</b> that we are saved. By Baptism we are placed into the ark of the Church to be kept safe through the storm and trials of life. For as we heard from Paul’s letter to Titus tonight, <b><i>we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another</i></b>. Or in other words, we were like the people <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>outside</i></span> the ark in the days of Noah! <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>But!</i></b></span><b><i> when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,</i></b> - when God remembered and acted for us - <b><i>he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,</i></b> - not because we’re good or better than anyone else - <b><i>but according to his own mercy, by the </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>washing</i></b></span><b><i> of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>poured out</i></b></span><b><i> on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace</i></b> - like Noah, cleansed, justified, made righteous, <i>by grace through faith</i> - <b><i>we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life</i></b>. The hope of a new life that will be eternal.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, we are still in the ark; the ark of the Church. The cleansing water of God’s <i>new</i> flood now cleansing one sinner at a time, as in Baptism we are drowned and die with Jesus, that we may also rise with Him to a new life. It is <b><i>the washing of regeneration</i></b>, the washing of <b><i>renewal</i></b>. We are the ones who now cry out to God in repentance and faith, and receive His righteousness. So that one day, when God remembers His promise - His promise to come again in glory for His Bride, the Church - the door not of the ark but of heaven will be opened, and we will enter into the new life of a new heavens and a new earth. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So are we cleansed for life. The cleansing begun in Noah’s day brought to completion by Jesus in our day. That dying to sin and rising to life, we live a new and righteous life. Which is what these 40 days of Lent are all about.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><div><br /></div>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-88003063992845140042024-02-21T04:42:00.002-05:002024-02-22T05:16:49.101-05:00Homily for Virginia State March for Life Matins<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What <span style="text-decoration: underline;">God</span> Gave for Your Life”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 8:27-38; Romans 5:1-11</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>What can a man give in return for his </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>life</b></span><b><i>?</i></b></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s the question, isn’t it? <i>How can I have life? The life I want?</i> For that, many are striving, but few attain. And what would you give, what would you do, for such a life? Sadly, the answer for many is often to trample on the life of another. Be it with abortion, or euthanasia, or sex trafficking, or embryonic stem cell research, or genocide, or abandonment, or a whole host of other life issues facing us today.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But the life that is being <b>saved</b> in those cases is my life in this world. And the life that is being <b>lost</b> - or at least, lost sight of - is the life that really matters: the life of eternity. The question is: <i>which life matters most?</i> If we get that answer right, chances are we’ll get the rest right, too.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But perhaps the problem is not that, not </span><i style="font-size: large;">which</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> life, but that I want both. I want the life I want </span><i style="font-size: large;">now</i><span style="font-size: medium;">, </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">and</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> I want the life of the world to come, the life of eternity. That’s not bad to want that, to want both. The question is: </span><i style="font-size: large;">what is the life you want now?</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> And is wanting that life compatible with also wanting the life of eternity? Perhaps not. For as we heard Jesus say today: </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. And remember that Jesus said this, too: </span><i style="font-size: large;">No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [mammon]</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Matthew 6:24)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now notice something very important here: the problem is not with what you </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>have</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> but with what you </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>want</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;">. Not what’s in your home, but what’s in your heart. It’s </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">not</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> money that is </span><i style="font-size: large;">the root of all evil</i><span style="font-size: medium;">, but </span><i style="font-size: large;">the </i><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">love</span><i style="font-size: large;"> of money</i><span style="font-size: medium;">. And then, Paul goes on to say: </span><i style="font-size: large;">It is through this </i><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">craving</span><i style="font-size: large;"> that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(1 Timothy 6:10)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. And you don’t have to look far to see those pangs in our world today . . . even within our own churches and families . . . maybe even our own hearts. How easy it is for us, like Peter, to not </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>set our minds on the things of God, but on the things of man</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. The things of this world and life. And instead of getting the life I want, the result is the pangs of strife, division, heartache, guilt, shame.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So maybe this life I imagine, I crave, maybe that life isn’t good for me, or for the others I trample to get it. Maybe the life I <i>want</i> isn’t the life I need. Maybe there’s a better way . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This season of Lent that we’re now in helps us to focus on just that: there’s a better way. A better way than the way we’ve been going. A way that may not <i>seem</i> better, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>is</i></span>: and that is <b>the way of the cross</b>. For the cross is not what <b><i>man gives in return for his life</i></b>, but <b>what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>God</i></b></span><b> gave in exchange for my life</b>. Whatever I give is too little, and whatever I may gain won’t last. But what God gave is His only-begotten Son, a gift of priceless worth, and what I gain <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>from</i></span> Him and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>through</i></span> Him lasts forever. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is said that the value of something is what the market will bear, what someone will pay for it. So if someone is willing to pay half a million for your house, that’s what your house is worth. Our heavenly Father gave His only-begotten Son for you. And the Son laid down His life for you. <b>That’s how much you’re worth in His eyes!</b> And not just you, but all people. Those we consider really big, bad sinners, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> those we think not so bad. The able and the disabled, the wanted and the unwanted, the strong and the weak, the young and the elderly, those not yet born and those close to death. All of them together and each of them alone, for Jesus, <b>every life worth His own</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s why we’re here today. As sons and daughters of God by the new birth of water and the Word, how God looks at life is how <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we</span> now look at life. Not perfectly, of course. We still have much to repent of. But having <b><i>been justified by faith</i></b> and <b><i>at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ</i></b>, we march to proclaim that every life is valuable, precious, and important. And that all people may know that. That all may know that if they have abused, misused, or taken life, there is forgiveness for them. That those who have been trampled or shoved aside, know they are loved. A truth that is for you and me, as well. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So while it would be nice to have legislation passed to protect life, that’s not really the answer. Remember, the problem is not what you have, but what you want. Not what’s in your home (or state, or country), but what’s in your heart. And the truth is that even if abortion and euthanasia and assisted suicide and all other life issues were immediately outlawed, they would still be wanted and found and offered by some. The Law has its role and place, but is not the answer. <b>The answer is Jesus</b>. The answer is His life and joy. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So we march today in joy, not in anger. The joy of the life we have been given, and the joy of the life we have been promised. And if we must suffer here, for a while, because of this, Paul says <i>still</i> rejoice! For suffering, in the end, produces hope. A hope that will not put us to shame, but will be fulfilled, for our hope is in Jesus and all His words and promises. His Word that has given you life now, and His promise of life everlasting.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So we march today and confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of all people. Of those who march with us <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> those who don’t. And we pray that our Lord and His Spirit would work in all hearts, to turn them to Him, to value all life. We march, but the battle is His. And the victory, too. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So we, as we sang, </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Entrust your days and burdens</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">To God’s most loving hand . . .</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Our hands and feet, Lord, strengthen;</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">With joy our spirits bless</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Until we see the ending</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Of all our life’s distress.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And so throughout our lifetime</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep us within Your care</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And at our end then bring us</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: large;">To heav’n to praise You there </i><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(LSB #754)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><div><br /></div>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-55541241700209310822024-02-19T05:50:00.001-05:002024-02-19T05:50:41.815-05:00Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/Lent1.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Our Isaac”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Genesis 22:1-18; Mark 1:9-15; James 1:12-18</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God has a funny way of showing His love. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First, we heard the story of <b>Abraham</b>. God chose him and gave him so many great and precious promises. And then said: Now go sacrifice your son! The son I promised you and gave you. The son you had to wait 25 years for. The son born to you and Sarah after you were old and had given up hope. The son through whom the promised Saviour was to come. Go and sacrifice him! And not a little. As a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">burnt</span> offering. Which means first to slay your son, and then to burn him so that there is nothing left. If this is how God treats the people He chooses . . . ! Well, how does the saying go . . . With friends like this, who needs enemies?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then we heard the story of <b>Jesus</b> at the beginning of His public ministry. He is baptized by John, at which time the voice of the Father resounds from heaven: <b><i>You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased</i></b>. And then, <b><i>the Spirit </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>immediately</b></span><b><i> drove him out into the wilderness</i></b>, where he was <b><i>tempted by satan</i></b> for <b><i>forty days</i></b>, and lived <b><i>with the wild animals</i></b>. This is how the Father treats His <i>beloved</i> Son? His Son, whom He brought the shepherds and wise men to see. His Son, whom Simeon took up in his arms with great joy. His Son, who spent extra time in the Temple, questioning the teachers. His Son, who was the answer to so many hopes and prayers. This is how God treats His <i>beloved</i> Son? Driving Him out into the wilderness and into the clutches of satan?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God has a funny way of showing His love. One that might cause us to ask: <i>Uh, God, </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">do</span><i> you love me?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This past Wednesday, in addition to being Ash Wednesday, was Valentines Day. And our culture has developed and designated certain ways of showing love - flowers, candy, cards, special fancy meals. Maybe it’s all a conspiracy by those who sell those things and want to make money! But if those are the ways, we are told, that show love, and many think so, and maybe they do . . . But if those are the ways we show love, then by those standards, we <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>should</i></span> question God’s love. Where are the flowers, candy, and cards for Abraham and Jesus? Or even for you and me? Why are things so hard? Why is life so unfair? Why is the world the way it is? And the conclusion drawn is that God is not very loving. God is mean. God is . . . well, who knows? Unpredictable. So <i>why bother?</i> Why bother with a God like that?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, maybe we’re not thinking about love correctly. Maybe love is <i>better</i> reflected in what happens the other 364 - or this year, the other 365! - days of the year that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>aren’t</i></span> February 14th. The regular days. The ordinary days. Even the days like when <b>Jesus</b> was baptized and then driven into the wilderness, or when <b>Abraham</b> was told to sacrifice his son. What do <span style="text-decoration: underline;">these</span> teach us about God’s love? That’s good for us to think about and ponder, so that we do not doubt or despair of God’s love. So that we don’t think: <i>Why bother?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This season of Lent is about struggle. Our struggle against sin. Our struggle against satan and his temptations. Temptations not just to do things called sin, but temptations to turn away from the faith. Temptations to doubt God and His love. Temptations to think God isn’t very good and loving. Temptations to think: <i>Why bother?</i> That’s what satan wants. For you not to bother with God. Or, at least, for God to not have a very big part in your life. And if you think that’s not you . . . this season of Lent is for us to take another look, for us to take stock, and that maybe I’m a little farther down that path than I think. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So I think one of the hardest struggles we have is to </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">not</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> judge God by our own standards; by what we see, by what we feel, by what seems right to us, by the way we think things should be, by our own version of right and wrong and what’s right and wrong for me in my life and situation, but to judge all things by God’s Word. Because our senses and our thinking can deceive us and mislead us. Which is why we pray in the Lord’s Prayer </span><b style="font-size: large;">lead us not into temptation</b><span style="font-size: medium;">, which means (if you remember your catechism) that we pray </span><i style="font-size: large;">that God would guard and keep us so that they devil, the world, and our </i><span style="font-size: medium;">[own] </span><i style="font-size: large;">sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, or other great shame and vice. </i><span style="font-size: medium;">[That]</span><i style="font-size: large;"> although we are attacked by these things . . . we may finally </i><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>overcome</i></span><i style="font-size: large;"> them and win the victory</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer, Sixth Petition)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. Or in other words, we pray that we remain strong and steadfast in the Word of God. For that and </span><i style="font-size: large;">only</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> that is the sure guide to know God and His love.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That w<i>e may finally overcome them</i> . . . That word . . . <i>overcome</i>. That’s a struggle word. Lent is about struggle. Our Lenten disciplines are about struggle. But even here, notice how satan has twisted this away from what this struggle should be and made Lent just about losing weight, or watching less TV, or some other kind of self-improvement. Those things might be good, and if you want to achieve those things I wish you success. But those aren’t the kind of spiritual warfare Lent is about. Satan <i>likes</i> that kind of Lent, where the focus is on you, not God! Where the focus is on you, not on prayer, not on loving your neighbor, not on Scripture. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That was not Abraham or Jesus’ Lent. I know, there wasn’t a season of Lent back in those days. But these were their Lenten seasons all the same. Their seasons of struggle. Of attack. Of temptation. Of prayer. Of relying on the Word of God. Of </span><i style="font-size: large;">fear, love, and trust in God above all things</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Small Catechism, First Commandment)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. Above what I think, or want, or even love.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And if we are to judge all things by God’s Word . . . what do the Scriptures tell us? That </span><i style="font-size: large;">God disciplines those He loves</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Deuteronomy 8; Hebrews 12)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. In that light, think of Abraham’s story again, and especially those days leading up to the story we heard today. Did Abraham love his son, his son of old age, his son born to Sarah, more than God? Did Abraham trust more in the fact of having a son than in God’s promise? What did Abraham fear most: God, or losing his son? We don’t know the answers to those questions; the Scriptures don’t tell us. But </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>if</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> Abraham’s faith was perhaps being put in the wrong places . . . then wouldn’t a merciful and loving God want to do something about that? Even if it was with a struggle like this? A struggle, I dare say, greater than any of us have had to endure.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, none of us has been told to do this, sacrifice a son. For none of us have had the promise that through our son would come the Saviour! Abraham and his struggle was unique. But what <i>does</i> God want <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span> to do? And what do <i>you</i> not want to do? Where is the struggle in your own life? What do you fear, love, and trust? Where are you turning for the good you need? Where is your struggle? <b>Maybe that’s exactly where God is being merciful and loving to you</b>. Causing you to struggle where you need it the most.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And how ya’ doing with that? With your struggles? With your temptations? Are you the person spoken of in James, the one who has <b><i>remained steadfast under trial</i></b>? Or have you fallen short? I know the answer. Because I know my answer. So this season of Lent we are called to repent, but even more than that, to see the one who <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>IS</b></span> steadfast until trial. The one who <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>IS</b></span> blessed. The one who <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>did</b></span> receive the crown of life. And who did it all for you. To give it all to you.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so after He is baptized, immediately Jesus is driven out into the wilderness with the wild animals, the wildest of all being satan. And Jesus is tempted there for forty days. Mark doesn’t tell us what those temptations were, like some of the other Gospels do. For Mark, that’s not the point. For Mark, it’s not Jesus as example, how to fight; it’s Jesus as the one who came to fight for us and win. It’s Jesus as the one who remained steadfast under trial. And not just in the wilderness, but then especially on the cross. On the cross as <b>our Isaac</b>. When the Father, God the Father, did not withhold His only Son from us, but led Him up Mt. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Calvary</i></span> and offered Him there as the Lamb of God. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Who takes away the guilt of our unsteadfastness. Who takes away the guilt of our failure to fear, love, and trust God above all things. Who takes away the guilt of our thinking we know better than God. Who takes away the guilt of our doubting God and His love. Who takes away the guilt of our judging God. Who takes away the guilt of our putting other persons or things above God. Who takes away our guilt of all that, of all that which deserves not a crown of life but the dust of death. He bore all that sin and guilt on the cross in our place, to give us the crown of life He earned, in His place. The crown we could never earn for ourselves, but is the gift of His grace.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then after those 40 days, and<b><i> after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”</i></b> Repent, yes. But even more, believe. Believe the gospel. Believe <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> Gospel. That Jesus has come to do this for you. To have the knife and fire of God’s wrath against all the sin of all the world come down upon <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Him</span> as the burnt offering, but then to rise from the dust and ashes of death to life again. That we who lie in the dust and ashes of death, have life again, too. Abraham believed that God could do that for his Isaac, if it had to be. And Abraham was right. God the Father, in fact, did it for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>His</i></span> Isaac, the substitute for Abraham’s Isaac, and the substitute for all of us, too. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>And Abraham called the name of that place,“The Lord will provide.”</i></b> And God did. For, Scripture tells us, the place where Abraham and Isaac went for this sacrifice is the place where the Temple was built for the sacrifices and is the place where <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jesus</span> was crucified and sacrificed. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And <b><i>it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”</i></b> And it is. For from that mount, from that cross, the life of Christ has been provided for us. The life that we will again receive this morning as we eat and drink that same Body and Blood that once hung on the cross and bore the sin of the world. That same Body and Blood that is now given for the life of the world. That eating and drinking, we receive the strength for this struggle that we are in.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So maybe God’s way of showing His love <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>isn’t</i></span> the same as how the world does it. And maybe that’s good. That we learn what love really is. And that it’s not just for a day, or 365 days, but for eternity. So a little struggle now, for an eternity of love? That seems worth it to me.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-49825315571588335032024-02-15T04:59:00.001-05:002024-02-15T04:59:15.001-05:00Sermon for Ash Wednesday<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Lent/AshWed.m4a" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dying</span> Christians or Dying <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Christians</span>?”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Joel 2:12-19; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is who you are (<i>pointing to ash cross on my forehead</i>).</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You are a Christian, marked with the sign of the cross in your baptism.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But you are a </span><i style="font-size: large;">dying</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> Christian, a dust and ashes Christian, because you are a sinner. And you are not because you happen to do things called sins, though you do. You are because you were born that way. You inherited this sinful condition from your parents. And the wages of sin is death </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Romans 6:23)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. So unless Jesus returns first, you are going to die.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">People usually don’t want to talk about that. It’s not very cheery. And it’s scary. We don’t want to die, because we were not created to die. Death is an intrusion into the life that God created us to have. And an ending of that life. So we put it out of our minds. Think about other things. Be too busy with life to think about death. But is that good? Or does that simply make us unprepared to die? Would it not be better to be ready when that time comes for each of us? Ready to die a blessed death?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because try as we might to put it out of mind, death is not so easily shoved aside or locked in the closet of our minds. It keeps coming back to haunt us. Death in the news. The death of a loved one. A terminal disease. The epidemic of fentanyl poisoning. <i>And Ash Wednesday</i>. Every year, Ash Wednesday with its black paraments and ash crosses. Forcing us to face facts, to face reality, to face death. This is who we are: <i>dying Christians</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But, you see, that’s the <i>good</i> news! We’re dying <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Christians</i></span>. And as Christians, we can face death with confidence. The confidence of the empty tomb. That at the end of this season of Lent is not death but life. And not just life, but <i>eternal</i> life. Life that death cannot end. Life that has overcome death.<i> Jesus’ life</i>. Because, as we heard St. Paul preach tonight: <b><i>For our sake</i></b> - for the sake of all of us who are dying - <b><i>he</i></b> - God the Father - <b><i>made him</i></b> - His Son, Jesus - <b><i>to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him </i></b>- in Jesus -<b><i> </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>we</i></b></span><b><i> might become the righteousness of God</i></b>. And you know what the righteous do? The righteous <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>rise</i></span>. They rise from death to life. To <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>new</i></span> life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So if you want life, repent. Repent of yourself, who you are <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> what you do, and receive the righteousness of God. That’s what the prophet Joel calls to us tonight. <b><i>Return to the Lord your God</i></b>, he says, <b><i>with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.</i></b> The disaster that has afflicted the world as the wages of sin - death. He relents because He came to do something about it. Or to paraphrase what Paul said before: <i>For your sake God made Jesus to be </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>you</b></span><i>, the sinner, the condemned one, the crucified one, the dying one; so that you can be </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Him</b></span><i>, the righteous one, the living one</i>. To repent, then, is not just to be sorry for your sin, but to say: <i>I want to be </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Him</b></span><i>, not me. I want, I need, </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>His</i></span><i> life</i>. And when you hear those words, <i>I forgive you all your sins</i>, that is God saying: yes! Here is His life. A new life for you.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And you know what people who have received that new life do? They pray, fast, and give alms. Lots of other things, too. Good things. But also these things. That’s what Jesus said. For in His words that we heard today, He <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>didn’t</i></span> say, <i>if</i> you pray, or <i>if</i> you give to the needy, or <i>if</i> you fast; but <i>when</i> you pray, <i>when</i> you give to the needy, <i>when</i> you fast. These are not new or special commandments; Jesus is describing you and what you do. <b>Because they are what Jesus did</b>. He fasted during those forty days in the wilderness. He prayed constantly. And He gave to those in need. He showed us these are all good and helpful things. And with His life, a new life, given to you, it is what you do as well. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Though we mess it up. We’re good at that, aren’t we? Messing things up! We are tempted to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> pray, give, and fast, but instead set our minds on and treasure and cling to the things that <b><i>moths</i></b> feast on, that age and <b><i>rust destroy</i></b>, and the <b><i>thieves</i></b> covet and steal. Or we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">do</span> those things, but not because of who we <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>are</i></span>, but to be <i>who we want to be</i> in the eyes of others. Perhaps to be considered holy, or sincere, or to be admired, or to make me think I’m better than those who don’t. Both of those ways - not doing, or doing for the wrong reasons - is the be the hypocrite Jesus talked about. Something else to repent of.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But if we just be who we are in Jesus, live as the baptized, rejoice in His Absolution, be shaped by His mercy, and feed on His Body and Blood, or in other words, set our minds on and treasure those things that are <i>eternal</i> - then though we die, yet shall we live. Then though you may suffer as Paul and his fellow workers did, <b><i>afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, and hunger</i></b>, none of these things can take your life. For you have already been given the unlimited, unmeasured, unbounded life of Christ. The treasure above all others. The treasure Jesus came to give to you, and the treasure He is <i>still</i> coming to give <i>to all</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every once in a while, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentines Day. For some, that is an odd combination of days. But not for us. For us, it is perfect. For as we enter the season of Lent, it is to see once again </span><b style="font-size: large;">the love of God for us</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> in the crucifixion of His Son. That </span><i style="font-size: large;">God so loved the world</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 3:16)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. That </span><i style="font-size: large;">greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 15:13)</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> - except when He lays it down for His enemies! For </span><i style="font-size: large;">while we were still sinners, Christ died for us</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Romans 5:8)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. Died, that we be forgiven. Died, that we might live. Died, that His love raise us to new life. For love is always about the other, not me. Love gives. And Jesus gives Himself </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>for</i></span><i style="font-size: large;"> you</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> on the cross, that He give Himself </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>to</i></span><i style="font-size: large;"> you</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> here in His Word and Sacraments. That the treasures of heaven you have already now. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So this is who we are (<i>pointing to ash cross on my forehead</i>).</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: large;">Dying</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> because of my sin. </span><i style="font-size: large;">Christian</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> because of Jesus’ love. His love unknown </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(LSB #430)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">, unlike any other love in this world. His love that means that though this is who I am, this is </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">not</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> who I will be. This is my present, not my future. My future is life. My future is glory. Yours, too.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So today we repent to let go of the present and cling to the future. A future that may come sooner than you think! But <i>when</i>ever it does, <i>how</i>ever it does, matters not. For we are looking forward to Easter. Yes, the one that will come 46 days from now when we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus. But even more, to the <i>great</i> Easter when all will rise from death when Jesus comes again. When no more feasting moths, no more destroying age or rust, no more thieves, only life. Only joy. Only Jesus.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-88565020141844074222024-02-11T07:00:00.002-05:002024-02-11T14:09:05.661-05:00Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Epiphany/Trans.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Listen to Him!”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 9:2-9; Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12–13; 4:1–6</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Rabbi, it is good that we are here.</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That may be the understatement of the year! But indeed it is. It is good to be on that mountain and apart from the world - apart from the sin, apart from the politics, apart from the hustle and bustle, apart from the sadness and death, from the struggles, the misunderstandings, the fighting, the uncertainty. All the stuff <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>we’d</i></span> like to escape from in our lives. It is good to be here, with Jesus, in His glory.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So Peter wants to stay. Of course he does! Who wouldn’t? Who wants to go back to work or school after vacation? Who wants to go back to coach after being in First Class? We want to stay. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And notice . . . </span><i style="font-size: large;">Jesus does </i><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>not</i></span><i style="font-size: large;"> rebuke Peter</i><span style="font-size: medium;">. Now, let’s be honest: Peter sometimes says stuff that needs rebuking! He had, in fact, just a week before this, when Jesus told them He must be crucified, Peter objected - strenuously! And Jesus rebuked him just as strenuously, saying: </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>Get behind me, Satan</i></b> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Mark 8:33)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">! So Jesus is not shy about rebuking His disciples when it is needed. </span><i style="font-size: large;">But He doesn’t.</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> Not here. Not now. And not because He was too busy talking with Elijah and Moses to pay attention to Peter. </span><b style="font-size: large;">He doesn’t, but because He agrees</b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes! Peter got it right! Well . . . partially. Yes, it is good to be here. Yes, Peter should want to stay. And yes, Jesus wants them to be with Him in His glory. Yes, yes, yes. But not in tents, and not just for a time. Jesus wants Peter, James, and John, and all the world, with Him and Elijah and Moses, in glory, <i>for eternity</i>. That’s what He came to do. And that’s what He was going to do. He was going to Jerusalem to provide this future for the world.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>For Jesus came to be the prophet greater than the great Moses. </b>Moses led the people of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt, but Jesus came to save the world from our slavery to sin. Moses used a staff of wood to perform the wonders that would break Pharaoh’s back, but Jesus used a cross of world to crush satan’s head. And while sin and death kept Moses from completing the final step of the journey into the Promised Land, sin and death would not stop Jesus. Though He died for the sin of Moses, and you, and me, and the world, He rose from that death. And rising from the dead He ascended into heaven. So no sin left unatoned for, no death left unconquered, no step untaken. The glory and life of the Transfiguration is now open and available to all.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And that tent thing, Peter? You know, Jesus had done that before. When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, God actually <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>did</i></span> dwell in a tent with His people. It was called the Tent of Meeting, or the Tabernacle. That’s where He and His glory dwelt for the people. Glory that was indicated not just by a cloud that filled the tent and led the people through the wilderness - though that would have been enough! But also by that whole Moses’-face-shining-thing we heard about earlier. That whenever Moses went into the tent to speak with God, he came out with <b><i>the skin of his face shining</i></b>. Like the shining that was happening in the Transfiguration. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because you can imagine the arguments or objections that might have come up when the people were rebelling against Moses - <i>which they often did!</i> Yeah, Moses. Right. You go into a tent and claim to talk with God - yada, yada, yada. How do we know you do? How do we know what’s really going on in there? How do we know you’re telling the truth? Well! . . . that’s how! His face. Hard to dispute that. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But here’s the thing: despite that, the people still rebelled and continued to rebel. They didn’t do what God said. They worshiped the false gods of the nations they encountered. When you read through the books of Exodus and Numbers you get the impression that all they did was grumble and complain! <b>God in a tent wasn’t enough.</b> It was important, and it was significant, but it <i>wasn’t</i> where they could stay. It was, in fact, pointing to a greater reality, a greater tent, and a greater glory - when God would dwell in the tent of Jesus’ flesh so that not just one man - or three - but the world, could see His glory and dwell with Him there forever. That’s what Jesus had now come to do. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And it would be a victory even greater than Elijah’s great victory. </b>For just as Jesus came to be the prophet greater than the great Moses, so He came to be greater than the great Elijah. Elijah who as a lone man fought the 450 prophets of the false god Baal and the 400 prophets of the false goddess Asherah on Mt. Carmel. But Jesus, as a lone man, fought all the hoards of hell on Mt. Calvary. Elijah used an altar of stone, Jesus an altar of wood. Elijah drenched his sacrifice in water, Jesus was drenched in His own blood. The fire of God came down and consumed Elijah’s sacrifice, and the fire of God’s wrath against the sin of the world Jesus was bearing on the cross consumed Him. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But just as with Moses, Elijah and his victory weren’t enough. In fact, Elijah’s victory hardened the evil queen in her sin so that she threatened to kill Elijah, so that Elijah ran away. No glowing face, no glory, just: It’s no use God. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You might as well kill me, for I’m a failure as a prophet. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But the victory wasn’t for Elijah to win or lose - this was God’s fight. And what happened with Elijah and all those false prophets on Mt. Carmel was just a small skirmish in the upcoming war. A war Jesus <i>would</i> win. Though He looked like a failure of epic proportions when He was taken down from the cross and laid in the tomb lifeless and dead. That just led to His <i>even more epic victory</i> when He rose from that tomb alive and full of a life that could never end. That’s what Jesus had now come to do. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So Jesus does not rebuke Peter. Yes, this what Jesus had come to do. But at the same time, Peter (and the others) still have a lot to learn. And <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>how</i></span> they would learn that is by what the voice said, the voice of God the Father, which came out of the cloud: <b><i>This is my beloved Son; listen to him</i></b>. <b><i>Listen to Him</i></b>. Because this is what He has been telling you, and teaching you, and showing you. So instead of saying no and rebuking Him, <b><i>listen to him</i></b>. And in case there was any question of who God was talking about, <i>who</i> they should listen to, <b><i>looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only</i></b>. <b><i>Listen to him</i></b>. You want to stay here, you want to be with Jesus in His glory, <b><i>listen to Him</i></b>. He will tell you, He will teach you, He will show you, how.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Good advice for us today as well. <b><i>Listen to Him</i></b>. (1.) <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Listen</i></span> (2.) to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Him</i></span>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First of all, <b><i>listen</i></b>. That seems to be a lost art in our world today. With the rise of technology and social media and the internet, there are a lot of people <span style="text-decoration: underline;">talking</span>, and saying all kinds of things, but it doesn’t seem like a whole lot of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">listening</span>. And <i>who</i> we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">do</span> listen to, are they worth listening to? Are they putting up a tent for a glory that isn’t going to last? Or are they leading us to the glory of eternity? Which leads us to the second point . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Listen <b><i>to </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>Him</i></b></span>. Jesus is the one telling us maybe not what we <i>want</i> to hear, but what we <i>need</i> to hear. The truth of who we are, hopelessly sinful and unclean; but also the truth of who He is, the one who came to give us life and hope. To give to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>some</i></span> glory in this world and life, but to provide for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>all</i></span> the glory of eternity. So while you may or may not have the first (glory now), you can have the second (glory for eternity). Which is greater.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So <b><i>listen to Him</i></b>. Instead of telling God who you are, your self-constructed identity, that I’m a <i>this</i> person or a <i>that</i> person, <b><i>listen to Him</i></b>. That who you are is a fallen sinner, but after you’ve been baptized, a child of God. You inherited sin when you were conceived, but that sin has been washed away by Jesus’ blood, when you were born anew, born from above. So the sin that would bar you from glory can bar you no longer. That’s who you are. <b><i>Listen to Him</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And instead of telling God what you have to do to get along in this world and life, that I just have to do <i>this</i> or have to do <i>that</i>, that God just doesn’t get it and that following His Word doesn’t work, <b><i>listen to Him</i></b>. That sinning, that following your own wisdom, your own desires, your <i>I know what best for me</i>, isn’t going to get you what you want or where you want to go. The Bible is filled with such stories. <b><i>Listen to Him</i></b>. Listen to Him whose Word gives life and freedom and forgiveness and glory. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And instead of telling God what you need, like He doesn’t know, <b><i>listen to Him</i></b>. <b><i>Listen to Him</i></b> who knows you better than you know yourself. <b><i>Listen to Him</i></b> who says <i>This is My Body, This is My Blood, given and shed for you. Take and eat and drink</i>. Food for your journey to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">eternal</span> glory. Food to strengthen you. Food for life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Listen to Him!</i></b> Listen, for if you want life, if you want to be in glory, if you want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">stay</span> in that life and glory, He is the only way. Everything else is a tent and glory that will not last. <b>But Jesus wants so much more for you than that.</b> So He came down from heaven and was laid in a manger, and in the same way He comes down from His Transfiguration to die and be laid in a tomb. For you. All for you. That you who will one day also be laid in a tomb, will rise with Him to glory. With not just Moses and Elijah, but <i>all</i> the faithful, in that glory that has no end. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s good to get a glimpse of that, to know where we’re going. When life gets rough. When it seems like a tent would be a step up! When we get trampled on by others. When life doesn’t seem worth living. At just such times, it is good to know where we are going and how to get there. That as we will again remember this Lenten season that we are about to enter on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday: only through the cross comes the glory, only through repentance comes forgiveness, only through death comes life. So <b><i>listen to Him</i></b> who said from the cross: <i>it is finished</i>; who says to you now: <i>all is forgiven</i>; and who will say to you on the Last Day: <i>welcome home</i>. Those are words worth listening to.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-29809673406303969502024-02-05T05:31:00.001-05:002024-02-05T05:31:02.925-05:00Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Epiphany/Epiphany5.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Crossing the Finish Line from Time to Eternity”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 1:29-39; 1 Corinthians 9:16-27; Isaiah 40:21-31</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is said of great athletes - <i>truly</i> great athletes - that they have not only exceptional talents and abilities, but <i>they also make others around them better</i>. That’s what separates them from other tremendous athletes who also, no doubt, have exceptional talents and abilities, but somehow don’t achieve the same level of greatness. What elevates a Michael Jordan or a Patrick Mahomes above others. What they do affects and influences and raises up others. Sometimes how they play makes others play better. Sometimes they have to get in a teammates face and lay down the law. Sometimes they have to give them a pat on the back and lift them up after they’ve messed up. But they are able to do what others can not or will not do.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">St. Paul in the Epistle today mentioned athletes and competing, writing to the Christians in the city of Corinth, one of the largest and most important cities in Greece at that time - the country which started the Olympic Games. So they knew a little about this, just as sports has permeated our society today. He says that Christians should be like that - <i>and even more!</i> For we’re not competing for a perishable wreath, or crown, or to make a name for ourself today that will be forgotten tomorrow. Our crown, our name, as Christians, is eternal. So we should live that way! But . . . <i>what does that mean? What does that look like?</i> Hang onto those questions. I’m going to come back to them . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But first remember what we heard in the Holy Gospel today. Last week Jesus was in the synagogue in Capernaum and cleansed a man of an unclean spirit. Immediately after that, Mark says, as we heard today, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever just with His touch. Then, when word about that gets out and around town, when the sabbath is over at sundown, the whole town comes out to Jesus with all their sick and diseased and demon-possessed for Jesus to heal. And He does. He does until the next morning, when after praying, it is time to move on to the next towns and villages, to do more of the same. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notice what Jesus is doing . . . He doesn’t just come and go to the cross, though He could have. <i>He is making everyone around Him better</i>. And not only by miracles like these, but when He goes to the homes of both pharisees and sinners and eats with them. Or when He hangs out not just with those society likes, but with those society considers undesirable. When He gets in someone’s face and preaches the Law to them, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>and</i></span> when He encourages and lifts up those who have been chewed up and spit out by the world with His Word of Gospel, His Word of forgiveness and life. When He cares for Jews and non-Jews, widows and centurions. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And for this He gets crucified! By <i>making everyone around Him better</i>, no matter who they are or where they are from, He is making those who don’t, those who are only in it for themselves, look worse. So Jesus has to go. But then after three days in the tomb, Jesus rose from the dead - Jesus crossed the finish line from time to eternity, the finish line no one else <i>could</i> cross, and so won the race Paul was talking about. The race not for riches, fame, power, or popularity, but for everlasting life. None of us could do that, but He did. And even then, Jesus continues doing what He did before and has always done: make others, make us, <i>better</i> by giving that victory to us. Giving the forgiveness, the resurrection, the life, and the kingdom He won to us. So that we are the winners, too. He is a Saviour like no other. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now, back to Paul . . . Paul who said run to win the prize. But Jesus already won the prize and gave it to you! When you were baptized you were made a child of God and promised eternal life. That’s already yours! So . . . running the race, competing now . . . <i>what does that mean? What does that look like?</i> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, first of all, it means not dropping out of the race. If you do, obviously you’re not going to cross the finish line! So we keep coming to church, keep hearing the Word, keep living in our baptism, keep receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus. Keep receiving the gifts of God that give us the victory; Jesus’ victory. That’s first. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But also it is to make others around us better. For if we’ve already been given everything, we can now do for others. We do not run alone. We’re in this with others. Paul is addressing a church. And so in that context, to run to win is to outdo one another not for myself, but in love, in forgiving, in service, in selflessness, in giving. Giving to others what we have already received, and what will never run out.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul talked about how <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>he</i></span> did that, in words often misunderstood. He says that <b><i>though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all . . . that I became all things to all people</i></b> - to Jews, those with the law, those outside the law, the weak, whoever - to <i>make them better</i>, to give them the Gospel, to share the blessing of Christ’s victory with them. Now, Paul didn’t <i>literally</i> become a Jew again, or a hooligan, or a prostitute, or a murderer to win the hooligans, prostitutes, and murderers! That’s absurd. Paul didn’t change who he was, just as Jesus didn’t change who he was. But he went to them and walked along side of them. He didn’t just bark commands at them or tell them to try harder - he lived with them and made them better. By loving them with the Law <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> the Gospel, by calling them to repentance and giving them forgiveness, so they, too, could have the victory. Christ’s victory, which is for all people.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now think . . . <i>who has done that for you?</i> Who came to you and spoke the Law to you when you needed it? When you were wayward and proud? You may not have appreciated it, but you needed it. And who came to you and forgave you when you needed it? When you were despairing and burdened and thinking you’d never measure up and be a good Christian? And someone pointed you to the cross and said: You’re right! You’ll never win! But there’s the one who won for you, and gives His victory to you here. <i>They made you better</i>, not because there was something in it for them, but because they already received that crown, victory, and life, and so could help you.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Now</i></span> think who <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span> could do that for . . . Who in your family? Who in your neighborhood, work, or school? Who here in this church who needs you and what you can give them? Maybe they need some Law - Get back to church! Stop gossiping! Stop coveting and chasing after the things of this world! Or maybe they need some encouragement and Gospel, to hear that they are important, that they matter, that we miss them not being here, that they are dearly loved and forgiven. <i>And you can do that</i>. Because you already have the crown of life, and are fed by the Body and Blood of Jesus here to strengthen you and for the forgiveness of your sins. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, Paul says, <i>I do not run aimlessly</i>. Or, to put that in a different way, I keep my eye on the goal. That’s what the greats do, right? They don’t get distracted. They don’t sidetracked into things that don’t help. And there’s a lot of things in this world that distract us and get us off track, isn’t there? That use up our time, attention, and energy, so that when it comes to what really matters . . . I don’t have enough time. I’m too tired. Satan loves that. Why do you think he keeps bombarding us - sometimes with big things, yes! But more often, I think, with thousands of little things. To keep us busy. To distract us . . . with problems, with pleasures, with stuff that doesn’t even matter. To pull us away little by little, so we don’t even notice. Until finally, we don’t even care anymore. Think that happens?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe that had happened or was happening in Capernaum. But Jesus came to them. Jesus, who fulfilled the words of Isaiah that we heard today. For Jesus, the very Son of God, is the one who <b><i>sits above the circle of the earth</i></b>, over all creation, and we are like little <b><i>grasshoppers</i></b> to Him. He is the one who <b><i>stretched out the heavens</i></b>, who raises up and brings down princes and kingdoms. He is the one who cares for the earth and its seasons, making it bud, bring forth, and flourish. He is the one who <b><i>brings out the stars</i></b> at night and keeps the planets in their orbits. He is the one who <b><i>sees and knows</i></b> all you are going through - nothing is hidden from His sight. So to say Jesus came to the people of Capernaum . . . remember, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that’s</i></span> who came to the people of Capernaum! That God! The great and only God. Who didn’t have to be there, but wanted to be there. Who wanted to go to the cross. And who wants to be here, today, too. <i>For you</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So that day - and night! - in Capernaum . . . well, listen again to Isaiah:</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Even youths shall faint and be weary,<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and young men shall fall exhausted;<br />
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>they shall mount up with wings like eagles;<br />
they shall run and not be weary;<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>they shall walk and not faint.</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They waited for the Lord, and He did not let them down. He renewed them. He strengthened them. He healed them. They could see again. They could walk and run again. They could hear again. They were set free from their bondage. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And one day, they would grow weak again, and be faint and weary again, and one day they would die. But even then, Jesus was there <i>for them</i>. And will be there <i>for us</i>. He died with us, He was buried with us, and then He rose for us. To renew us and give us a new life where there will never again be a weary and exhausted, a discouraged and despairing, a sinful and unclean and adrift. <b>A life across the finish line from time to eternity</b>. That new life begun in Baptism, renewed with His Absolution, fed by His Body and Blood, and brought to completion at the resurrection. <i>All for you</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So that day in Capernaum, Jesus did <i>visibly</i> what He is doing here for us <i>invisibly</i>. Saving, renewing, strengthening, conquering the ravages of sin and death. Winning the race we could not win, and then taking us with Him to victory. Paul took that victory with him wherever he went. So can we. And with that love and forgiveness and life, <i>make others around us better, too</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-3052631338440941582024-01-28T15:52:00.001-05:002024-01-28T17:55:38.166-05:00Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Epiphany/Epiphany4.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jesus’ Cleansing Word”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 1:21-28; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes people can surprise you. Someone you thought was mean might do something nice; or someone you thought nice might suddenly does something really mean. A person you thought trustworthy and reliable lets you down; and that person you thought you’d <i>never</i> be able to depend on . . . they were there for you when you really needed someone. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so it was that day in the synagogue in Capernaum. The people were there as usual, dressed as usual, sitting in their usual seats. But the one teaching them . . . well, He <i>looked</i> <i>like</i> a regular teacher, but He surprised them. He wasn’t. <b><i>They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes</i></b>; not as the ones who usually taught them. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But not just that. There was another surprise in store for them. <i>A man came in</i>. Now, nothing unusual about that. Maybe they even knew him, as a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend, or someone they had seen in the marketplace, or bought something from. Just Fred. And maybe he had been there before, in the synagogue. But on this day, Fred surprised them. For when he came into the synagogue and heard this surprising teacher, he cried out: <b><i>What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What is he talking about? First of all, who’s “<b><i>us</i></b>?” It’s just you, Fred! And Jesus . . . <b><i>the Holy One of God?</i></b> You alright, Fred? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But Jesus doesn’t seem surprised. He speaks right back to Fred with that same authority He was teaching them with. <b><i>Be silent, and come out of him!</i></b> <i>Wait. What?</i> What come out of who? But they quickly saw the answer to their confusion as <b><i>the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or maybe it didn’t happen like that at all. Maybe everyone knew Fred as the town crazy. So when he showed up at the synagogue that day and cried out, everyone was disappointed and thought: <i>Oh no!</i> <i>Here we go again. Fred’s going to ruin everything again</i>. Except he didn’t. Jesus took care of the problem with just His Word. His authoritative Word. His Word that was <span style="text-decoration: underline;">saying</span> things they never heard before. His Word that was <span style="text-decoration: underline;">doing</span> things they never saw before. His Word that was opening up the Scriptures to them. <i>His Word that made Fred normal again</i>. And this day that started so normal, so usual, turned out to be anything but.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Do you think that ever happens today?</i> I mean, yeah, people surprise us. All the time. That’s not so unusual. But I mean here, in church. Do you think people who <i>look</i> normal but really have unclean spirits ever come here? Or do you think people who are a little “off,” a bit crazy, a little unusual, ever come here? And we look at them and think: <i>Oh, no. Not them. Not now. Not here</i>. Do you think?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, let me let you in on a little secret. <b>Here’s the answer: It happens all. the. time.</b> Do you remember, when we baptize someone here, the first words we say after the Invocation? <i>Depart </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>unclean</i></span><i> spirit and make way for the Holy Spirit</i>. And in the Confession of Sin we will start using at Easter, we will say: <i>Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>unclean</i></span>. Yes, we are the unclean. We are the ones with unclean spirits.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So maybe you’re like the first “Fred” that I described earlier. You look normal. Everyone knows you (or thinks they do, anyway!). You’re a friend, a co-worker, someone they see around town, someone who’s here as usual, in your usual seat, in your usual way. But you have a secret. Something others don’t know. Something you don’t want others to know. Something unclean that is tormenting you. That sin you are addicted to. Those thoughts you know you shouldn’t have and don’t want to have but you can’t get out of your mind. The regrets you have for things you did in the past. The shame you have for something that has happened to you. Are you <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that</i></span> Fred? Afraid? Afraid that others will find out who you really are?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or are you like the second “Fred?” Everyone may not know everything about you, but they know enough! They know how broken you are, how a little bit crazy you are, how you don’t measure up or quite fit in. One of those others look at and say, with disappointment: <i>Oh no. She’s here. He came. Why do </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>they</i></span><i> have to be here?</i> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Truth is, this church, just as that synagogue in Capernaum, is filled with Freds. There’s nobody “normal” in this room, no one completely clean in this room.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Actually, that’s wrong</b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>There is </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>one</i></span>. That’s why He was so surprising to them. That’s why He spoke so differently. Because He is different. He is normal in the midst of abnormal. He is clean in the midst of unclean. But not only that. For He didn’t just come to be that, to show us how abnormal and unclean we are. How <i>sinful and unclean</i> we are, as we confess. He came to do something about it. He came to teach and speak with authority over all that should not be in this world and in us. To speak and forgive our sins. To speak and cleanse the unclean. To speak and give us new life. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s what makes Jesus the prophet greater than Moses. We heard that promise in the Old Testament reading today from Deuteronomy, that God was going to send another one, another prophet, after Moses, to speak the Word of God faithfully and truly. And while there were many prophets sent by God after Moses, who were </span><i style="font-size: large;">like</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> Moses, none were greater than Moses. None were </span><i style="font-size: large;">that</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> prophet, </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>the</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> prophet. </span><b style="font-size: large;">Until Jesus</b><span style="font-size: medium;">. And what made Him greater than Moses was that, as the apostle John would later say: </span><i style="font-size: large;">the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 1:17)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span><b style="font-size: large;">The Law</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> shows us our sin and exposes our </span><i style="font-size: large;">sinful and unclean</i><span style="font-size: medium;">, but can do nothing more. </span><b style="font-size: large;">But the grace and truth of Jesus, the Gospel</b><span style="font-size: medium;">, takes that sinful and unclean away, for it tell us of and washes us clean with Jesus’ blood. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what Jesus did that day in the synagogue in Capernaum. Whichever Fred came in that day, he did not leave the same. He was set free. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what Jesus does here, too, in this church. Whichever Fred <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> are - the secretly unclean or the known unclean; the popular or the outcast; the normal or the crazy - however you came here this day, with whatever you came with this day, Jesus is here to do something about it. To set you free. He is here to speak His authoritative Word <b>to</b> <b>you</b>. His Word which authoritatively made you His child in Holy Baptism, His Word which authoritatively forgives your sins in the Absolution, His Word which faithfully and truly proclaims who He is and what He has done <b>for</b> <b>you</b>, and His Word which authoritatively takes mere bread and wine and makes it the divine food of His Body and Blood <b>for</b> <b>you</b>. And like not just Fred, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;">all</span> the people in the synagogue in Capernaum that day, in the presence of such an authoritative Word, you do not leave the same as you came. You leave forgiven. You leave clean. You leave made new.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And that should astonish you, as it did the folks in Capernaum that day. Maybe it doesn’t, because we hear it all the time. But really, why should Jesus come here for you? Why should He die on the cross for you? Why should He love you? Why? <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>That’s</i></span> what’s astonishing! He shouldn’t. He should give up on us like we often give up on each other. We only have so much patience. We can only give someone so many tries. Right? . . . <i>Right? . . . </i>And <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jesus</span> must be crazy to give us so many chances, to forgive so many sins, to take our place on the cross. Right? . . . <i>Right?</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Or maybe Jesus is the normal one</b>. The way it should be. The clean one, the righteous one, the faithful one, the true one. And to be all that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>for</i></span><i> you</i>, and to work that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>in</i></span><i> you</i>. To raise you, to change you, that you leave this place not the same as when you came, but different. More like Him. Wouldn’t that be amazing, astonishing? To be someone who surprises others - but <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> with our sin, our uncleanness, our failures. But surprise them with love, with understanding, with forgiveness, with - as St. Paul described it in the Epistle today - putting them and their needs first, before our own. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sound like a big ask? Maybe it is. But maybe start with something small. It’s hard to go from zero to sixty, but maybe gradually. Little by little. And once you start doing that, it helps you, too. ‘Cuz you’re no longer obsessing about what kind of “Fred” you are or how others are looking at you or thinking about you - you’re just thinking about them and how to help them. <i>Like Jesus</i>. Now, they crucified Him for that, and maybe they will you, too. But that’s okay. Jesus rose from the dead, so you will, too. They can crucify you but they can’t take your life. Because you have the prophet greater than Moses. Or better to say, He has you. And His Word, as we heard again today, does what it says. It has cleansed you. Forgiven you. Loved you. Raised you. Changed you. “Jesus-ed” you! Which is the most amazing thing of all. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And at once his fame spread everywhere </span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>throughout all the surrounding region of</i></b> . . . Vienna.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-60933265967953043182024-01-22T08:20:00.001-05:002024-01-22T08:20:36.677-05:00Sermon for the Third Sunday after Epiphany and Sanctity of Life Sunday<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Epiphany/Epiphany3.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Caught in the Net of Life”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 1:14-20; John 3:1-5, 10</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Fishers of men, huh?</i> Here’s what my question would have been: <i>which men?</i> ‘Cuz don’t send me to Nineveh, like you did Jonah! No way! Not <i>those</i> men! For if there was ever a people whom God should not love, not want to save, and not send a prophet, an apostle, or anyone else, it would be them! The Ninevites. Residents of the capital city of one of the meanest, most corrupt, most vile, violent, and evil countries ever. I’ll fish for men, but not in <i>that</i> sea!</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">‘Cuz that’s what we do, isn’t it? We pick and choose. This person, not that person, is worth my time, my effort, my attention, my prayers, my energy, my money. This person is worth it, that person is not. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that’s not how Jesus does things. Not how He thinks. So Jonah was sent to the Ninevites. And so badly did God want him there that even when Jonah said <i>no, not </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>those</i></span><i> people!</i> God arranged the whole fish-swallowing-adventure to change Jonah’s mind. God went fishing (with a fish!) for that one man! A man who really didn’t deserve it after saying no to God and running away. And as soon as Jonah finished wiping the fish slime off his skin and washing it out of his hair, God said: <i>now, go</i>. God made Jonah a <b><i>fisher of men</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And now He was going to do that for Simon, Andrew, James, and John. <b><i>Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men</i></b>. Which men? <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>All</i></span> men. Every. Single. One. For Jesus wants every single one, loves every single one, and came to die for every single one. No one too corrupt, vile, violent, or evil. The Ninevite as well as the American. The abortion provider as well as the abortion user. The pornographer as well as the one watching it. The one committing suicide and the one assisting suicide. The one trafficking sex and the one indulging in it. The one promoting body-mutilating transgenderism and the one remaining silent about it. The one abusing and taking advantage of the elderly and the one who just forgets about them. The one who pushes someone onto the Metro tracks and the one who throws another <i>under the bus</i>, as it is said. The identity thief and the reputation ruiner. The ones who never come to church and the ones who come in body only. <b><i>I will make you become fishers of men</i></b>, Jesus said. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>These</i></span> men. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>All</i></span> men. For I want them all.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So if we think there is someone who shouldn’t be saved, we are revealing that it is ME who should be on the outs. ME swallowed by the fish and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> spit out. That I am that very person I am speaking against. For really, if there was ever a people whom God should not love, not want to save, and not send a prophet, an apostle, or anyone else to . . . look around! Shouldn’t it be <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>us</i></span>? Shouldn’t it be <span style="text-decoration: underline;">ME</span><i>? </i>Look at your resume - your <span style="text-decoration: underline;">sin</span> resume, that is. What does it qualify you for?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So when Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him and be His disciples, maybe He had a two-fold purpose: to not only show them HIS resume, to teach them who He was, Jesus, the Son of God who had come to save all people; but also to show them <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>their</i></span> resume, who they are. To reveal their ignorance, their selfish hearts, their judgmentalism, their pride, their lostness.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And He did. Think of all the times the disciples had to bow their heads in shame, had to take their feet out of their mouths, had to have their wrong thoughts corrected. Yet Jesus wanted them, and would use them. In great ways. They would learn that He is a God of no little grace! Grace for them, for Ninevites, for us here today. A God of forgiveness, of sins small and great. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For look at all the people Jesus caught in <span style="text-decoration: underline;">His</span> net! Canaanite women, Centurions, those possessed with unclean spirits, prostitutes, tax collectors. And look at all the people in this church today - people no better; in fact, maybe worse. Paul said he was the chief of sinners, but maybe there’s a crown like that for your head, too. You know what I’m talkin’ about. I doubt we could find a sin that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>isn’t</i></span> represented here in this room, by some of us, or many of us. Are you shocked by that? You shouldn’t be. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But just as God sent His Word to Nineveh, and Babylon, and Egypt, and Samaria, and Rome, so He has sent His Word here. His Word calling us to repentance, and His Word proclaiming us forgiven. His Word washing us clean, and His Word feeding us. For His sent His Word, the Word made flesh, to the cross, to provide all of this for us. To be the life of the world. All of it. That all have life and have it abundantly, and eternally.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So God not only sent Jonah to Nineveh - twice! - He also <b><i>relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it</i></b>. Which is to say, He forgave them. Which is to say, He wiped their slate clean. Which is to say, when He looked at them now, it is as if none of the meanness, corruptness, vileness, violence, or evil ever happened. It is gone. They have been set free from it. It is no longer who they are or who they need to be in the future. They can live differently now, in the peace and joy of the Lord, and His love and forgiveness.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, they <i>didn’t</i>. They went back to their old ways and finally God brought an end to that kingdom. Evil may have its day, but only a day. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So God throws out the net of His Word through the mouths of prophets, apostles, pastors, and His people today. That though we swim in the sea of an evil world, we be pulled out and into the boat of His Church. And not flip-flop our way back into the sea, like Nineveh did! But live here, in His life and love. And find our life here, not in the things of the world. To know that it is not my job, or success, or sports, or education, or relationships, that give me life - it is the life I here receive that gives me the ability to enjoy all these other things rightly. <b>Not as things that <i>take over</i> my life, but as things that <i>enrich</i> my life</b>. It’s when they take over . . . that’s when things start to unravel, isn’t it? And maybe the unravelling <i>starts</i> slowly, just a little bit here and there, now and then, but how easily it picks up speed . . . and your life unravels. It’s easy to hit the brakes when you’re going slow; how hard it is to stop when you’ve built up a lot of momentum . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think that’s what happens to many people. Things meant to enrich my life have taken over my life, and going faster and faster, anything that slows me down has to go, or gets run over - even other lives that might get in my way. Lives like babies in the womb, the elderly, the disabled, the needy, even my own body, for some. And we become like Ninevites on the road to destruction.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So the readings we heard today, and especially the Gospel we heard today, where Jesus calls these disciples to <b><i>become fishers of men</i></b>, is perfect for Sanctity of Life Sunday. For as I said, in becoming disciples, followers, there is a two-fold purpose: to show them who they are, and to teach them who Jesus is. And for us, too. Sanctity of Life Sunday can show us who <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we</span> are - folks who sometimes, or maybe often times, don’t see others as valuable and precious and important, so that we’ll repent; and to teach us who Jesus is - the one who does, and who forgives. So that when we begin to act like Ninevites, <i>our</i> <i>Jonah</i> comes to us - our Jonah who was swallowed up in death, but then three days later came out of the tomb alive! - our Jonah comes to us with His life for us, and sends His Word and His Word of life to us, and raises us to life again. For actually, He <span style="text-decoration: underline;">didn’t</span> <b><i>relent of the disaster He said He would do</i></b> and that we deserved - He actually carried it out, on Himself. That’s what the cross is. And then He gives us the life and forgiveness He said He would, so that we live. Not flip-flopping back into the sea of sin and evil, but live the new lives He has given us, in the boat of His Church.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what Jesus wants for all people, and what, I think, a lot of people are looking for. Maybe even you. They don’t want run away lives, they don’t want to run others over, they know this isn’t good, but . . . what else can they do? What choice do they have? The world is telling them to hit the gas! More! Faster! But then comes the crash. The abortion is regretted, the marriage falls apart, loved ones die and time missed you can’t get back, and then <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> become the one getting run over. Then who is there to help when the world has moved on?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You know, of course. The one who came for you. The one who stopped and cared for those nobody else would. The one who saw the carnage of humanity and said, <b>I’ll trade My life for theirs</b>. And He did. And the one who called those twelve then, and countless others since, and said, you do the same. Be <b><i>fishers of men</i></b> with My Word - My Word which heals, which restores, which calls to repentance, which forgives, which cares, which stops at the crash scenes of life and says, <i>let me help</i>. That’s what Jesus has done for you and your life. That’s what others have done for you and your life. And that’s what we can now do for others and their lives, too. It isn’t easy. This isn’t some affirm-everyone-in-whatever-they-want-to-do thing. Not at all. Jonah called out Nineveh and we need to be called out, for when we have not regarded our life and the lives of others as valuable, precious, and important. But then also to hear that Jesus thinks YOU valuable, precious, and important - no matter who you are or what you have done. And He has life for you. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So bring your resume - your sin resume, that is - to the altar with you today, and let Jesus tear it up. And in its place, He will fill you with His life. That’s what you were; this is who you are. You were dead; now you are alive. You were a slave to what took over your life; now I set you free. You were “that guy;” now you are My child. And in the midst of an out-of-control world, a dog-eat-dog world, an anxious world, a Ninevite world, that’s worth an awful lot. So be <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span>, not that! And live in love and joy and peace. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-23317857641393022252024-01-14T16:56:00.005-05:002024-01-14T16:56:59.139-05:00Sermon for the Baptism of Our Lord<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Epiphany/BOOL.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Day Everything Changed”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Mark 1:4-11; Romans 6:1-11; Genesis 1:1-5</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It started the same. It ended very, very different.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">People from all over were coming to John to be baptized. Young and old, rich and poor, from the city and from the country. The Jordan was a busy place. So another man from Galilee, coming to the Jordan, coming to be baptized, was no big deal. And just another man from Galilee, coming up out of the Jordan, after being baptized, was no big deal.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until it was. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For in a moment, everything changed. For then, it was seen and heard that this was, in fact, no ordinary man from Galilee. Oh, He looked the same, He walked the same, talked the same, but He wasn’t the same. For on no other did the Spirit descend like a dove. For no other were the heavens opened. For no other did the voice of the Father ring down from heaven, saying, <b><i>You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased</i></b>. Only on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> one, this man, Jesus of Nazareth. He is different. Turns out, this was a big deal after all. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So what started the same, just another baptism, ended very, very different.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And it is what happens here, too. Each of us comes to the font - like little Ava last week - just another poor, miserable sinner. But then, everything changes. <b>For here, what happened to Jesus happens to us</b>. Here, the Spirit descends through water and the Word. Here, the heavens open. Here, the Father is well-pleased as another sinner is made His child. Jesus is baptized to change baptism; to put Himself into it, for us. So from this moment on, you are different. You are not the same. Jesus joins Himself to you, and joins you to Himself. So this is a big deal.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then . . . when the heavens were closed back up, the dove departed, and the voice was no longer heard . . . Jesus went back to Galilee, back to life as normal, back to the carpenter shop . . . <b>Oh wait. No He didn’t!</b> Now He began to do what He had been set apart to do. Now, He would battle the devil, heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and preach and teach. Those first steps He took out of the Jordan that day were the first of many that would only end when those feet were nailed to a cross. That’s what Jesus’ GPS was set to. Starting point: <i>the Jordan</i>. Destination: <i>the cross</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So . . . if what happened to Jesus in His baptism also happened to you in your baptism . . . <i>what about after?</i> Jesus didn’t go back to life as usual, <i>but do you?</i> Do you leave this place where the font is front and center and we remember every week that <i>I am baptized</i>; I am a baptized child of God! . . . Do you leave this place where you receive the forgiveness of your sins . . . Do you leave this place where you hear of all that Jesus has done for you . . . Do you leave this place after receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus that He laid down for you on the cross and now places into your mouth . . . Do you leave this place the same as when you came? <b>No way!</b> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>But</i></span> do <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> go back to your life as usual, living the same, doing the same things, no one really knowing or noticing or being able to tell whether you’ve been here, in Church, in the very presence of God, this week or not? I’m afraid the answer to that question may not be so good . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here, Paul’s words to the Romans can help us. Because maybe you don’t know, maybe you don’t realize, what has taken place here in your baptism. So Paul said: <b><i>Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, </i>in order that<i>, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, </i>we too might walk in newness of life</b>. Which is to say that the steps we take from the font, the steps we take from the altar, the steps we take from the church, be steps <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> back to life as usual, but steps to walk in a new life. A life raised up and made new. A life renewed by the life and forgiveness of Jesus.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For here’s the before and after: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>Before</i></b></span><b> Baptism, you were dead to Jesus and alive to sin; </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>after</i></b></span><b> Baptism, Paul says, you are alive to Jesus and dead to sin</b>. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Before</i></span> Baptism, the slavery of sin and the fear of death control us; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>after</i></span> Baptism, the life of the Spirit and the promise of eternal life guide, direct, and empower us. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Before</i></span> Baptism, your sin in on you, you are responsible for it, and satan accuses you of it; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>after</i></span> Baptism, your sin is on Jesus, He paid the price for it, and you have peace with God. <i>So back to life as usual . . . ? Really? Why?</i> Why go back to sin, slavery, worry, fear, death, and an uncertain future? Why leave these gifts here for a weekly, or bi-weekly, or monthly visit, when you can have them 24/7? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe it’s not intentional. Maybe we’re too weak, or maybe life just gets so busy. I get that. For me, too. Life never seems to slow down. There’s just more and more, faster and faster, change upon change. But if that’s the case, then maybe we need to make it intentional. Maybe we need to take more care and pay more attention to the life of Christ we here receive, and maybe not take it so much for granted. You think?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is, in fact, what we prayed for today, in the Collect of the Day earlier. We asked our <i>Father in heaven</i> to <i>make all who are baptized in [Jesus’] name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life</i>. That what was begun in Baptism be brought to completion in us. Not that God is unwilling or unable to do that for us - He promised to do so! <i>We’re the problem</i>. It’s so easy to get off track. So easy to go back to life as usual. So easy to have something or someone other than Jesus be the center of my life. Which doesn’t mean that everyone has to be a pastor or a monk or a nun and be thinking about Jesus all the time! <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>No</i></b></span><b><i>.</i></b> I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if everyone in the world was a pastor, this world would be an absolutely horrible place! We need teachers, we need doctors, we need people working in the government, we need construction workers, we need pilots, we even need <i>lawyers</i>! But what drives your life? What is at the center of your life? What informs your life? What shapes your life? Take an honest look . . . and you might not like the answer . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So for Jesus to be your life, or at the center of your life, means this: My job is not my life. My investments are not my life. My relationships are not my life. My hurts and brokenness are not my life. My wretched past is not my life. My hobbies, health, interests, teams, sports, and education are not my life. Because none of these things can give me life! None of these things can forgive me, restore me, delight me, or fulfill me.* Oh, maybe for a time I feel fulfillment, pleasure, and value from these things. But when that time ends, then what? Then the center - once filled with these things - is empty. An emptiness far worse than staring at the empty spot where your beautiful Christmas tree once stood, or at the empty chair where your loved one once sat . . . And then when it happens to <i>you</i>, when <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>your</i></span> place becomes empty when your grave becomes full . . . which of those things that were at the center of your life can raise you to life again, and present you washed and cleansed and holy to the Father?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, Baptism. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Not</span> Baptism as in: <i>oh, that happened to me a long time ago</i>. But Baptism as in: <i>I am baptized</i>. That is who I am. That is my identity. When I can’t rely on anything or anyone else, I can rely on this. Whether I am rich or poor, whether I am full of life or near death, whether I am unemployed or have a very important job, whether I am liked or disliked, whether I am married or unmarried, popular or lonely, whether I have a good life or have made a mess of my life . . . this is my cornerstone: <i>I am baptized</i>. I am a child of God. Forgiven. Dearly loved. Raised to new life with Christ and with the promise of everlasting life. <i>I am baptized</i>. This is the reality that supersedes all others. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If that’s the case, if you have been re-created and made new by same Word of God that spoke and made everything new in the beginning (as we heard), then going back to life as usual makes no sense! It makes as little sense as Jesus going back to Galilee and the carpenters shop. No. Now, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>your</i></span> GPS has been reprogrammed. <b>Before</b>, your <i>starting point</i> was birth and your <i>destination</i> was death and the grave. <b>Now</b>, baptized into Christ, into His death and resurrection, your <i>starting point</i> is the Font, and your <i>destination</i> eternal life. And if you make a few wrong turns along the way - which we all do! - not recalculating, but <b>repentance</b> is the answer. Repentance and receiving the forgiveness of Jesus which raises you back to life and puts life back into you. The life of Jesus, back at the center.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So within the next hour, you’re going to step out of this church - <b>either</b> because Jesus has come again and will fulfill your Baptism and all the promises He made to you there! <b>Or</b> because He didn’t, and you will go out to live in your Baptism. Either way, you go a changed person. You are different. A person filled with Jesus and His life. Filled not with locusts and wild honey, but with the Body and Blood of Jesus. And filled with His forgiveness, you can forgive. Filled with His love, you can love. Filled with His mercy, you can have mercy on others. Not judged and condemned, you can stop judging and condemning others. You have a new life to live! A life <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> dead to Jesus and alive to sin, but dead to sin and alive to Jesus! Which, I think, maybe others might notice. And if they do, and ask, you can say: <i>I am baptized into Christ</i>. It’s kind of a big deal . . . </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">* A few of the sentences here taken from <i>Zechariah</i> by R. Reed Lessing (CPH <span style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">©️</span> 2021), 530.</p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-8694805517048456212024-01-08T08:04:00.002-05:002024-01-08T08:04:51.238-05:00Sermon for the Epiphany of Our Lord<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2024/Epiphany/Epiphany.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Baptism of Ava Claire Johnson</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“That First Step”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12; Ephesians 3:1-12</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Arise, shine, for </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>your</i></b></span><b><i> light has come</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Arise!</i></b> Isaiah says. And the Wise Men did. They arose, they got up from their homes and went to Jerusalem. Then guided by the Scriptures they went to Bethlehem. And guided by the star, they found the one they were looking for. A child. <b><i>The one born king of the Jews</i></b>. They are a treasured part of the Christmas story, the visit of these men from the East.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Arise!</i></b> And they did. But I wonder, <b>how hard those first steps were . . .</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Were they friends? Did they come together the whole way? <i>That would have made those first steps easier.</i> And we assume so, but the Scriptures do not say that. At least one author has speculated that they came separately and met on the way. That would have been harder. And it was an arduous journey. Travel for us is easy. We usually have multiple options. We have interstates, rest areas, hotels, and GPS to help us. But this was a big deal. They would have to prepare <i>before taking that first step</i>. It would not be quick, or easy. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But they did it. They took the first step, which led to many more. <b>But that first step is so often the hardest</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which you know. Oh, some first steps are easy - like jumping out of bed on Christmas morning to see the presents under the tree. But getting out of that same bed on a cold winter morning to go to school or work . . . <i>not so easy</i>. Some first steps are quite significant - like when Neil Armstrong took the first step on the moon. Or when little Ava will take her first steps. Think of other first steps we take . . . the first step down the aisle to get married, the first step at the cemetery when bidding farewell to a loved one.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But it’s not just us. Think of other first steps taken when God said <b><i>arise!</i></b> in the Scriptures . . . Adam and Eve’s first step <i>outside</i> the Garden of Eden. <i>How hard was </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that</i></span><i> first step?? </i>Abraham’s first step from Ur, then from Haran - to he knew not where! Moses’ first step going <i>back</i> to Egypt to confront the Pharaoh. How hard was the first step of the first person of Israel into the Red Sea between those two walls of water! The first time Aaron stepped into the Tabernacle and behind the curtain to perform the rites God commanded. The first steps of the prophets when they had to go confront a king, or the high priests with the Word of God. The first steps of the women who went to the tomb on Easter morning. The first steps of Paul after he was struck blind by God on the road to Damascus, or then his first steps to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. And I’m sure you can think of many, many more. These are all hard and significant steps. That all began with one, first step. Which is often the hardest.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But what do all these first steps from the Scriptures have in common? This: <b>that </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>God</b></span><b> took the first step toward us.</b> If He hadn’t, we wouldn’t; we couldn’t. But God did. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>God</b></span> took the first step. God acting, God commanding, God directing, God leading, God providing, God blessing. God coming to us to give us what we need. Or to say this a slightly different way: <b>we arise, because He first arose for us</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And this day, this Feast of Epiphany, reveals that to us. That here, in this child, is the God we need. Here, in this child, is the Saviour we need. Christmas is about the Son of God becoming man, taking on our human flesh, the incarnation. Epiphany is the revealing that this child of man is the true Son of God. The Son of God stepping into our world, into our life, into our sin and death, so that we could step OUT of death to life again. So that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>we</i></span><i> can </i><b><i>arise!</i></b><i> because He first arose for us</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And how about some of Jesus’ first steps? When He arose and stepped into Samaria. When He arose and went to where the lepers were. When He arose and stepped into the Temple to cleanse it. And when He arose and went to Gethsemane, knowing that there He would be betrayed, and then arrested, tried, sentenced, crucified, and dead. Some of those steps brought Him criticism, some condemnation, and some sadness. <b>But He took all those first steps to save.</b> To save the Samaritans, to save the lepers, to save those who were being taken advantage of in the Temple, and to save <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because sometimes <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>our</i></span> first steps . . . well, they take us where we should not go. Little Ava can’t walk yet, but she will soon enough. Some of those steps will be hard and some will be easy. And some will be sinful. She will walk in the footsteps of her parents, from whom she inherited sin. And she will add to it. Just like us, she will go, she will do, she will think, she will desire, she will speak, what she should not. And the first time, the first step, is hard. There is guilt. There is shame. But then the next time, the next step, is a little easier, and then the next a little easier still. All steps <i>away</i> from God, not towards Him. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So <span style="text-decoration: underline;">God</span> <b><i>arises</i></b>. God comes and calls us who are walking the wrong way to step back to Him. Again, He acts first; calls us by His Spirit. Because if He didn’t, we wouldn’t; we couldn’t. And sometimes that first step back is really hard. To come and repent. To speak that of which we are ashamed. To repent to the one we hurt and sinned against. To confess that we are not the person we want everyone to think we are. To set right what we have messed up. It would be easier not to. To just let things be. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But again, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">God</span> <b><i>arising</i></b> and coming to us <span style="text-decoration: underline;">first</span>, stepping to us with His forgiveness and new life, is what enables us to make these first steps. So God came this morning, took the first step to Ava and made her His child. <b>This </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>isn’t</b></span><b> what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>we</b></span><b> did or what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>she</b></span><b> did but what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>God</b></span><b> did</b>. And in a few moments now you will <b><i>arise</i></b> and take the first step down this aisle to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in His Supper. And with that you are confessing with each step you take: <i>I am a poor, miserable sinner</i>. And you do because God comes here for you. Because here <b>is </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>not</b></span><b> what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>we</b></span><b> do or what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>you</b></span><b> do but what </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>God</b></span><b> does</b>. Your Saviour is here for you, and calls to you to come and receive from Him what you need - the forgiveness of your sin, a new life, and salvation.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And taking that first step, YOU are Wise Men. You are following in their footsteps.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For when you <b><i>arise</i></b> and step up to the altar, what do you see? A man, like any other man, though dressed a little funny. And bread and wine. But you know it is much more than that. So, too, the Wise Men. For when they entered that house in Bethlehem, what did they see? A mother, and a child, just like any, many, others. But they knew He was much more than that. And they knew in the same way that you know: <b>because God </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>first</b></span><b> revealed it in His Word</b>. So despite what they saw, they took another first step, and <b><i>they fell down and worshipped Him</i></b>. And though they gave Him the gifts they had brought, in reality, it was <i>they</i> who received the far greater gift, from the one who took the first step down from heaven and into our flesh to save us.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And you, too. You bring gifts and offerings to God, but it is we who receive the far greater gift. A gift that makes gold, frankincense, and myrrh look like the old, stripped down Christmas trees lying by the road and waiting to be taken with the trash. <b>For here is the gift of life itself.</b> Here is the gift that no amount of money or things of this world could buy - what could only be provided for us by the blood of this child, God’s Son. By His death and resurrection. And <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that</i></span>, <b>that first step out of the grave, is the first step that changed everything</b>. Neil Armstrong may have taken <i>one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind</i>, but Jesus’ first step out of the grave <i>was a leap even greater</i> - the leap that defeated death and brought <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> the earth and the moon together, but earth and heaven, God and man, back together again.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And soon, we will <b><i>arise</i></b> and step out of this place and into the world, back into our lives. Maybe that will be easy for you. But maybe it will be hard. Maybe you are facing a daunting task, or a daunting week. Maybe you will take some first steps this week that will be frightening. Into a new situation. To heal a relationship. To confess the truth of God’s Word against the popular trends of our day with marriage and sexuality. To tell a friend or neighbor about Jesus; to be the star that lead them <i>here</i>. It would be easy not to take any of those first steps. To just let things be. I know there are lots of things I don’t want to do! And that’s its easier to just not do. But what Jesus is calling you to do, where He is calling you to arise, is good. And for your good. So we take that first step - or maybe for you it will be a leap! But take that first step in faith and trust that God will work. He will. He always does. Even if we don’t know how it’s going to turn out. Truth is, none of us knows what will happen, <i>ever</i>, though we like to think we do. We don’t even know if <i>we will be back here next week!</i> Maybe this is the week you will take your <span style="text-decoration: underline;">last</span> step on earth and your <span style="text-decoration: underline;">first</span> step into eternity. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">will</span> <b><i>arise</i></b> and step out of this place, because as Isaiah said: <b><i>your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>you</i></b></span>. For though <b><i>darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness the peoples</i></b>; - the darkness of sin, death, and evil, which seems to be getting deeper and thicker by the day! - <b><i>the Lord has </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>arisen</i></b></span><b><i> upon you,</i></b> <b><i>and His glory is upon you</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is to say, because the Lord <b><i>arose</i></b> first, has come here to you, and given you all that you need. So <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we</span> <b><i>arise</i></b> and step out filled with Him, with His forgiveness, and with faith in His words and promises. So we do not go alone. Those first Wise Men maybe traveled together or met up on the way, and so do the wise men and women here today. Including, today, little Ava. And that unity makes our steps easier. Until that day when we all together take <b>that first step out of the grave</b> - again, when Jesus comes and calls us! - and together we will be, with Jesus, forever.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So <b><i>arise, shine, for </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>your</i></b></span><b><i> light has come</i></b>. Your light has come to you. For you. So take those first steps that lead to life.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-25989115134800680472023-12-31T05:52:00.003-05:002024-01-08T08:04:11.655-05:00Sermon for the First Sunday after Christmas<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Christmas/Christmas1.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Inflating Joy of Jesus”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Luke 2:22-40</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>After a very long year and a very busy Christmas season, a gently reworked encore presentation of a sermon from yesteryear, which will be new for all but a handful of folks in my congregation.</i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If your neighborhood is like mine, or like the one we drive through coming to church, there have been lots of Christmas decorations lighting up the night these past few weeks.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And if your neighborhood is like mine, then among those decorations have been some rather large inflatable figures, of all kinds of people and animals and snowmen, anchored on lawns in front of houses.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And if your neighborhood is like mine, those figures now lie dead on the ground, all the air, all the spirit, taken out of them. Now they are lifeless lumps of deflated plastic testifying that Christmas is over. Ho ho ho.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And if you’re like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>me</i></span> - not like my neighborhood, but like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>me</i></span> - you sometimes feel that way. Deflated. All the wind, all the spirit, sucked out of you. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But if you had been in Jerusalem, right after that first Christmas, and especially that day 40 days after Christmas when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, you would have seen the exact opposite happening! On that day, not a great <i>deflating</i>, but a great <i>inflating</i> took place! To a man named Simeon.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We’re not told much about him. He probably went unnoticed by most people in their day-to-day lives. Another man just blending in with the crowd. We <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>are</i></span> told that <b><i>he was a man of faith, righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel.</i></b> And then this also: <b><i>the Holy Spirit was with him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.</i></b> And this day, he had been led into the Temple . . . and perhaps he was praying . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now the Temple was a busy place, with lots of hustle and bustle. And so a man and a woman and a newborn child, entering the Temple, wouldn’t have attracted much attention. They were, after all, doing what </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>all</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> devout, law-keeping, parents did - bringing the mother 40 days after her delivery to the Temple for her purification </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Leviticus 12)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">, and bringing their first born son to be presented to the Lord </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Exodus 13)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. And so it was a day just like any other day . . . a man praying . . . a father, mother, and child come to offer a sacrifice . . . just like any other day . . . </span><i style="font-size: large;">until</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> the paths of these two crossed . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then suddenly this man was <i>inflated</i> with Christmas joy! Filled with the Holy Spirit, Simeon comes alive and announces to all that God has kept His Word of promise and sent a Saviour. And Mary and Joseph, who had seen a lifetime of wonders the past year, now see another, as Simeon takes Jesus up in his arms and rejoices. And the words that seem to dance off his lips reveal the dancing joy of his heart that cannot be contained. This was no rehearsed speech, but the Word of God given Simeon to speak, from the joy that filled his heart, the joy that comes with receiving the greatest gift of all.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And I wonder if Mary smiled just a bit, because she knew this joy. It was the same joy that filled her own heart, which had overflowed into dancing words of her own, when she herself had said: </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”</i></b> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Luke 1:46-47)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. God had looked on the humble estate of another, just as He had with her. This child born to bring joy to so many . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so now Simeon needs nothing more. His eyes have been opened to see this child who would soon open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. And so now he can <b><i>depart</i></b> not just the Temple, but this world, <b><i>in peace</i></b>, because the Word and promise of God has been fulfilled. But not just the Word and promise of God <i>to Simeon</i>, but His Word and promise to us all, to send a Saviour. Simeon can depart this world in peace, and so can we, <b>because this child would </b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>not</b></span> - because this child would be <b><i>a light for the Gentiles</i></b> and <b><i>the glory of Israel</i></b> from a throne not of gold but of wood, where He would hang in the midst of - not joy, but hate and mocking and death; where He would make peace between God and man. Peace in the forgiveness of our sins.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And of this work of Jesus Simeon speaks as well, for He says that this child will <b><i>cause the rising and falling of many</i></b>; that <b><i>He will be opposed</i></b>; that He will cause <b><i>Mary’s own heart and soul to be pierced</i></b> in two; that He will <b><i>reveal the thoughts and desires</i></b> of <i>our</i> hearts. <i>But all this </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">is the reason</span><i> for our Christmas joy. This is not bad news </i>(though it may sound like it)<i>, but good news!</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For first, <b><i>the falling and rising</i></b> of which Simeon speaks is the falling of our old sinful man and for the rising of a new man, a death and resurrection to a new life which takes place for us in Holy Baptism. And then second, that <b><i>Jesus was opposed</i></b>, so much that He was crucified in our place, is so we may be <i>welcomed</i> by our Father in heaven. Third, <b><i>Mary’s heart and soul</i></b> which will be mightily <b><i>pierced</i></b> as she witnessed her son’s brutal death will be healed with the joy of the resurrection. And then fourth, the <b><i>revealing of the thoughts and desires</i></b> of our hearts is the work of the Law, that thus revealed, they may be confessed and removed, forgiven by the blood of this child, shed for us.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And it would not take long for all these things to begin. For when King Herod found out about this child, he did not rejoice, but set in motion a bloody slaughter, killing all the boys two years old and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding region, that in this sweeping holocaust he might kill off this rival baby king </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Matt 2:13-18)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. That was the slaughter of the Holy Innocents, which is commemorated on the fourth day of Christmas - December 28th - every year. But Herod was not successful, because it was not yet time for this child to die. For, in fact, no one could take His life from Him - He came to lay it down of His own accord </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 10:18)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">; to give His life for the life of the world. To give His life for you and me. That was </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">His</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> joy, and what brought Him and His inflating joy, here on Christmas.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then, having thus spoken, Simeon disappears from the scene. We never hear </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>of</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> him or </span><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><i>from</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> him again. Yet one thing, I think, we can be sure of - his Christmas joy was never deflated! Whenever he did depart (whether it was soon after this or a while after this), it was in the peace of which he spoke - the peace of the Spirit, the peace of forgiveness, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Philippians 4:7)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that’s not the end of this story. Luke then goes on to tell us also of </span><b style="font-size: large;">Anna</b><span style="font-size: medium;">, a widow, a prophetess who lived day and night in the Temple, but about whom we also know very little else. But her witness is important as well, as the second witness required by the Law </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Deuteronomy 19:15)</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> and being from the tribe of Asher, a representative from the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. For Jesus had come for all of Israel - indeed, for all the world. And perhaps her witness foreshadows what would happen some 33 years later, when a few other women would also testify of Jesus - </span><i style="font-size: large;">the resurrected Jesus</i><span style="font-size: medium;">, the life-inflating, joy-giving resurrection of Jesus, after the joy of seeing the empty tomb.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then <i>they went home, </i>Luke says<i>.</i> Just like that. It’s over as quickly as it began. Seems very anti-climactic, doesn’t it? After such joy in the Temple! Like all those figures now lying dead on the ground around my neighborhood, all the air, all the spirit, taken out of them. But there is even joy here, too, in this little fact, as Jesus lives as we live, though without sin. In His life He fulfills every jot and tittle of the Law that we have broken, in our place. And He experiences all that we do, and so knows what you are going through in your life. All the trials and troubles and deflating. <b><i>And the favor of God was upon Him</i></b>, that it may now be upon us. All that He did was to inflate us with the joy of the Spirit. To give life to us who were dead in our sins. To raise us up to a new life that will never end . . . or be deflated.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so Simeon’s Christmas joy is our joy as well. Which is why we sing Simeon’s song not just at Christmas, but <i>each time</i> we, too, take up the body and blood of this child - not in our arms, but in our mouths, as we eat His body and drink His blood, <i>given and shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.</i> Given and shed for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">us</span> for our consolation. For us who <span style="text-decoration: underline;">need</span> consolation. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I mentioned earlier that sometime I feel like those deflated decorations. And I’m sure you do, too. And I’m sure Simeon did, maybe even that day in the Temple! Maybe that’s why he was there, maybe why he was praying. And waiting for the consolation of Israel, he received it. Consolation that is for us, too. Consolation from the sin and hurt in this world that is inflicted upon us; from the guilt of the sin and hurt that we inflict upon others. Consolation from the despair and doubt we feel in our hearts. Consolation from the disappointments and pains of life. Consolation from the fear and worry that sometimes consumes us. In Him, in the midst of all this, like Simeon, we too can have peace and joy. The peace and joy of sins forgiven. The peace and joy of our enemies - satan and death - defeated. The peace and joy of the Spirit, who has inflated us with life both now and forever. The peace and joy which surpass all understanding.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So yes, Simeon’s Christmas joy is our joy as well. And so like Simeon, we are ready to <b><i>depart in peace</i></b>. Whenever and however. For we too have been given the greatest gift of all - <b><i>for to us a child is born, to us a Son is given</i></b> </span>(Isaiah 9:6)<span style="font-size: medium;">. Today we heard that God kept His Word to Simeon, so that we know He keeps Word to us.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-12442921755221606602023-12-25T18:50:00.006-05:002023-12-25T18:51:34.492-05:00Sermon for the Nativity of Our Lord<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Christmas/ChrDay.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Full of Grace and Truth”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: John 1:14</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>The Word became flesh</i></b>. The eternal God was born a man. Perfect God and perfect man in one person. Born <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to</span> Joseph, born <span style="text-decoration: underline;">of</span> Mary, in the little town of Bethlehem. He was given the name Jesus, the name chosen not by His earthly father or mother, but by His true Father, His heavenly Father. The name the angel Gabriel told Joseph and Mary and instructed them to name Him. And He <b><i>dwelt among us</i></b> some 33 years, and was not ashamed to do so. For the Word becoming flesh was not a lowering of God, but an exalting of man. An exalting we very much need, to say the least. An exalting by our God who is <b><i>full of grace and truth</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Full of grace and truth</i></b>. It occurred to me as I read those words that those are two things I would say our world today is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> full of! Two things that seem, in fact, to be in very short supply in our world today. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First of all <b><i>grace</i></b>, under which umbrella we could include forgiveness, kindness, understanding, patience. In our world today, though, in place of these things, how often do we instead see judgment, harshness, polarization, accusation, grudges, hostility, and more, manifesting themselves in road rage, wars that spring from and perpetuate ancient divisions, cancellation, violence, and prejudice. There <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>is</i></span> grace in our world, yes. But an indication of how rare it is, is that when we see it, we are surprised, and so rare it is that when we see it, it sometimes becomes an item in the news. That is not how our world was meant to be.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then <b><i>truth</i></b>. Truth is faring no better than grace in our world today. The truth of God’s Word has been denied by many for a long time now. Ancient truths are being questioned, since <i>we</i> know so much better in <i>our</i> day and age. Any objective reality of truth is derided as paternalistic or simply a quest for power, and so truth has become solely subjective - what <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> think it is. Your truth, my truth, many versions of the truth that cannot be validated, investigated, or questioned. And if you do, there is no grace - you must be dealt with.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But it’s not just in the world, is it? . . . where grace and truth seem to be in short supply. It is in me, too. And I suspect you as well. When I am slow to forgive and quick to judge and hold a grudge. When the very thing I criticize others for is what I myself am guilty of. When what I ask for myself, I am slow to give others. When I know the truth but don’t live by it. When I speak the truth when it helps me and overlook it when it doesn’t. You get the picture . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Full of grace and truth</i></b> is just not how our sinfully-turned-upside-down-world is. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Well geesh, Pastor! Not a very Christmassy sermon!</i> Oh, but it is. The Word becoming flesh is a great miracle, no doubt. It is worth celebrating and rejoicing, indeed. <i>But not just that.</i> We <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>need</b></span> a Messiah who is not only God and man, <b>but one who is full of grace and truth.</b> For grace without truth is license; truth without grace is tyranny. Our world is filled with those things, with false gods who are both those things, allowing us to do whatever we want (license), and forcing others to do what we want (tyranny). <b>But our God is neither.</b> He is Saviour. He speaks and acts in truth, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> He speaks and acts in grace. The truth of our sin and the condemnation we all deserve, and the truth of His grace and the forgiveness He has come to provide for all. And that is what we celebrate and rejoice in this day - not just the birth of a child, but the birth of a Saviour. A Saviour <b><i>full of grace and truth</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Saviour, though, who is not only <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>full</b></span><b><i> of grace and truth</i></b>, but is the <i>source</i> of grace and truth. The one who brought and is still bringing the grace and truth we need into this world. And from the very beginning. When Adam and Eve plunged the world into sin and there was no grace and truth, only sin, fear, and death, the Lord came to save them, speaking truth and speaking grace. When John wrote that <b><i>the Word became flesh and dwelt among us</i></b>, that is a reference to God dwelling in the Tabernacle and the Temple in the Old Testament - which was the place of speaking the truth of sin and repentance, and speaking the grace of forgiveness. Then in Jesus we see the one who speaks truth and grace, calling sinners to repentance and giving the repentant His forgiveness. That led Him to being crucified by those who didn’t like Him doing that, but even there, on the cross, Jesus speaks truth and grace. And still here today is Jesus, dwelling among us in His Word and Sacraments, in truth and grace. For this is who Jesus <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>is</i></span>; this is who God <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>is</i></span> - the one <b><i>full of grace and truth</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is exactly what our world needs. Which is exactly what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>we</i></span> need. You can’t wrap truth and grace in colorful paper with a bow and put it under a tree, but you <span style="text-decoration: underline;">can</span> wrap it in human flesh and place Him in a manger. And you can wrap grace and truth in water, words, and bread and wine, and speak them, pour them, and feed them to us. And not just on Christmas, and not just every Sunday, but every day. That with Jesus <b><i>full of grace and truth</i></b>, and then we filled with the Jesus who is grace and truth, that we then take that grace and truth out of this place with us and fill the world with that grace and truth. The grace and truth it so desperately needs. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">John also said of this <b><i>Word made flesh</i></b>, <b><i>dwelling among us</i></b>, <b><i>full of grace and truth</i></b>, that <b><i>we have seen his glory</i></b>. What was he referring to there? <i>Seeing His glory?</i> Was it Jesus’ birth? His transfiguration, when He shone in all His glory? His cross? His resurrection? His ascension? Well, yes! <i>All of it</i>. For while God is certainly glorious in Himself, the glory of God that we <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>see</i></span> is <b>in Him doing all this for you in love</b>. He is not a God who does not care about you, nor a tyrannical God - but a God who came into your flesh and blood. Who came to be with you, to be one of you. And <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that’s</i></span> glorious. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So when John wrote, we have seen His glory . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory </i>. . . when Jesus stopped and healed.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory</i> . . . when Jesus forgave.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory</i> . . . when Jesus raised the dead.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory . . . </i>when Jesus cleansed lepers.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory</i> . . . when Jesus wept with those who were mourning.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory</i> . . . when Jesus did not reject those everybody else did.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>We have seen His glory</i> . . . when Jesus died, and rose, and ascended.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And now we see His glory in the Church, where Jesus is still loving and mercying and serving us, <b><i>full of grace and truth</i></b>, still.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This past month, as you thought about and searched for gifts for others, you probably wondered what to get? What does this person need? What does this person want? And if you’re like me, you had a hard time with that for some people! But not God. He knows exactly what you need, and what you need most of all: namely, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Him</i></span>, and His grace and truth. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So as <b>Isaiah</b> proclaimed: <b><i>your salvation comes</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As Paul wrote to <b>Titus</b>: <b><i>When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us . . . according to his own mercy</i></b>; according to who He is.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And as <b>John</b> wrote: <b><i>The Word became flesh . . . full of grace and truth</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Which is all saying the same thing in different ways</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas is many things to many people these days, but it is most of all, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">this</span>: <b>that there is grace and truth in the world</b>. That there is grace and truth <span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span> <i>for you</i>. That what you need, you have, and what you have, you share with others, that grace and forgiveness and love and mercy and truth go out to all the world. Christmas is not the start of that, but it is the fulfillment of it. When God kept His promise - when <b><i>the Word became flesh</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-53725165377285267072023-12-25T05:46:00.003-05:002023-12-25T05:47:52.217-05:00Sermon for the Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Christmas/ChrEve.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Son Who Fights for Us”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Isaiah 7:10-14; Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20;</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 John 4:7-16; Titus 2:11-14</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was about to be a war. One enemy would have been enough, but now two had joined forces. They were on the doorstep but had not yet launched their attack. The people saw it and were afraid. What would they do? What destruction awaited them? What atrocities? The future was uncertain and seemed gloomy indeed. These were dark days. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So the Lord sent His prophet, Isaiah, to the king, King Ahaz, to say to him: <b><i>do not be afraid</i></b>. They will not win. This will come to nothing. And this is the sign the Lord will give you of this: <b><i>the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel</i></b>. Immanuel, which means, <i>God with us</i>. Which, honestly, doesn’t seem like much assurance, like much of a sign, when the enemy is at the gates and ready to pounce! But <i>God with us</i> is no small thing. And this, too: God knew that what seemed like a big deal to Judah at that time was just a small skirmish in the grand scheme of things. There was a much greater battle being waged, and a far greater foe. <b>And this virgin-born son would fight it</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And as bad and frightening as it seemed at that time to Judah and her king, it was going to get worse, <i>darker</i>. For next to come up against Judah would be a bigger, stronger, viler, and meaner nation which would swamp them like a river overflowing its banks, impossible to hold back. But then Isaiah goes on to say, <b><i>the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone</i></b>. And again, Isaiah points <i>to a child</i> to bring hope: <b><i>For to us a child is born, to us a son is given</i></b>. And again, a child against a nation doesn’t seem like good odds! But there was not only a much <i>greater</i> battle being waged here, but also <i>a different kind</i> of battle, for which <i>this child</i> was perfectly suited. <b>This son</b> <b>who would fight for us.</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, more transpired after that. Years went by, some good, some not so good. The people of God had their ups and downs. Kingdoms and nations rose and fell, the promised son was remembered by some and forgotten by others. Finally, Rome emerged for a time. And as with any nation and kingdom, it takes money to run and administer them. And so <b><i>a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed</i></b>. That forced Joseph and his espoused wife Mary to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. And while there, a child was born. But not just any child, a son. And not just any son, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the</span> Son, the promised Son, the virgin-born Son. A birth which didn’t seem like much; which was, in fact, hardly noticed. There wasn’t even <b><i>room for them in the inn</i></b>. But born was <b>the Son who would fight for us</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But while not noticed on earth, this birth was noticed in the heavens, by the angels. And they told some shepherds. Shepherds who were fighting their own battles, against predators and thieves who were after their sheep. To them, the angels said: <i>the Son is born</i>. And this is the sign for you: you <b><i>shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger</i></b>. And yet again, not much of a sign! quite frankly, the angel host was much more impressive! But the angels were not the sign, the sign of God’s love, the sign of God’s might, the sign of God’s faithfulness - the Son was. So the shepherds went, and saw <b>the Son who would fight to them</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After that, more years went by. Joseph would die, as would Caesar Augustus, replaced by Tiberius Caesar. There were good days and bad days. The people of God had their ups and downs. The promised son was remembered by some and forgotten by others. Until one day, <b>the Son who would fight for us</b>, <i>He started fighting!</i> He fought blindness, He fought deafness, He fought against leprosy, He fought the demons, He fought false teachers. He rescued sinners and outcasts. He prepared for each battle <i>with prayer</i>. <i>This was a far different kind of battle than anyone had ever seen before!</i> So they didn’t understand it. Though Isaiah and others had said this is how this battle would be waged, they didn’t get it, and so fought against the Son who was fighting for us! Finally, ultimately, hanging Him on a cross. A day of deep darkness. <i>Evil</i> darkness.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet so different was the fight of this Son that this, too, was part of it! Dying to win. So He laid down His life. It wasn’t taken from Him. They <i>couldn’t</i> take it from Him. He laid it down, to win. To conquer the real enemy who has come up against us. The enemy who is not on the doorstep, ready to pounce, but who has infiltrated our hearts and minds and lives. So to defeat this enemy, satan, sin, and death, Jesus laid down His life, to atone for our sin, break death and the grave, and strip satan of his power. And He has! The resurrection proved it. <b>The Son fought for us</b>, and won.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And the God who sent prophets and angels speak of His birth, now sends apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to do the same. To proclaim to shepherds, parents, programmers, doctors, nurses, students, waitresses, and all people, that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the</span> Son, the promised Son, the virgin-born Son, <b>the Son who fought for us</b>, the Son of God, has come. And that He is <b><i>the propitiation</i></b>, that is, the atonement, the sacrifice, for our sins. That we now have life in Him. Life that is safe from the enemy. Life that, though interrupted by death, will last forever. A life purified and set free.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, a lot of years have gone by since those days. Much has transpired in our world. There has been good, and a lot of not good. You’ve had ups and downs. Kingdoms and nations have risen and fallen. The promised Son was remembered by some and forgotten by others. There are wars going on, and enemies ready to pounce. The internet has opened a whole new front in this war, and the enemies there, though unseen, are quite real. And then there are your own personal battles and struggles, trials and pains. And tonight, as we look to the manger, maybe those old, old thoughts come back: <i>harumph! Not much against such deep darkness and mighty foes</i>. Yeah, tonight feels good and joyful, but what about tomorrow, and the next day, and the next year? </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But there in the manger is not just a child, but a son. And not just a son, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the</span> Son, <b>the Son who fought for you</b> and won. The child who came for you, died for you, rose for you, ascended for you, and now is here for you, baptizing you, absolving you, teaching you, feeding you, <b>fighting for you</b>. To be a light in the darkness of this world. A light of hope. A light of promise. That no matter how deep the darkness gets for you, it cannot have you. Whatever you are fighting, you do not fight alone. You belong to Him. You do now, and you will forever. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And now that you have seen Him, and known Him, and eat His body and drink His blood, and live in Him as He lives in you, you are like the shepherds, who <b><i>returned glorifying and praising God</i></b>. That is, telling of all that He has done. You now do the same. For God sends not only apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, but now also you, men and women, to make known at home and abroad this <b>Son who fought for you</b>. That with words of grace, lives of love, and patience endurance, others know and believe, too. That <b><i>to us a child is born, to us a son is given</i></b>. <b>A Son who fought for us</b> and won.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And His name . . . <i>is Jesus</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-13809457878157514272023-12-24T13:28:00.001-05:002023-12-24T13:28:48.834-05:00Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Advent/Advent4.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“A Better House, A Forever House”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:26-38</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It just didn’t seem right. God’s house was a tent. It was a <i>nice</i> tent, to be sure. A <i>special</i> tent, not like the ones we sleep in and take camping. But it was still a tent. And that just didn’t seem right to David.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a carryover from the days Israel spent on the move. Coming out of Egypt. Traveling through the wilderness. When you’re moving about, you need tents. Tents are good. Tents are useful.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that wasn’t the case now. Israel was no longer on the move. They were settled. For God had settled them. God had brought them into the Promised Land. The kingdom was at peace - there were no wars going on. They weren’t really even being threatened. They were prosperous. And David had built himself a marvelous palace. When he looked around, everything was good, everything was right. <i>Except</i> . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the midst of all this goodness, all this rightness, all this glory, was a tent. It was a <i>nice</i> tent, to be sure. A <i>special</i> tent. But it was still a tent. And looking around, David thought: one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn’t belong . . . And that just didn’t seem right to David.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So as we heard in the Old Testament reading, David, bless his heart, says: I’m going to fix this! I’m going to build God a house. A Temple grand and glorious, a place worthy for such a great God who has done such great things for us! And Nathan the prophet agrees. That’s a great idea! What could be better than that? Yes, David, <b><i>do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you</i></b>. And I think all of Israel and all of us would have said the same.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was <i>only one</i> who disagreed. And, turns out, the only one who mattered. God Himself. <i>No David</i>. Eventually, God would allow it. As most of you know, David’s son Solomon built a Temple in Jerusalem, and it was grand and it was glorious. But even that wasn’t <i>really</i> what God had in mind. First of all, because He didn’t need a Temple - a tent was fine. Because it wasn’t the tent that mattered, but what happened <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>in</i></span> the tent. It was the tent of meeting, where God spoke to Moses face-to-face. It was the place where God shared His holiness with His people in the forgiveness of their sins. It was the place where God dwelled with His people, no matter where they were. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>That’s</i></span> what made it grand and glorious - what happened on the <i>inside</i>, not what it looked like on the <i>outside</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So while David’s idea wasn’t bad and it wasn’t wrong, and his heart was in the right place . . . it’s just that God had another idea. A better idea. And so He tells David: Thanks, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>I’m</i></span><i> going to build </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span><i> a house instead</i>. And this house that I am going to build for you, it’s not going to crumble, fall, or fail, like whatever you build inevitably will. Because everything in this world does. But this house that I will build you, <b><i>your house and your kingdom shall be made sure </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>forever</b></span><b><i> before me. Your throne shall be established </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>forever</b></span><b><i>.</i></b></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And the one who would carry <i>that</i> out would, in fact, be David’s son. But not the one named Solomon. <b>The one named Jesus</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the time came, Nathan was long gone and buried, so God sent Gabriel instead to speak of this building project. And not to David, who had also long ago died and was buried, but he was sent <b><i>to a virgin living in Nazareth, betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David</i></b>, named Mary. God was going to take up residence in her body - not a queen’s body, or the body of a woman of means - but <i>this</i> body, which was like a tent, in comparison to those grand women. And notice what Gabriel says of this child: <b>(1.)</b> He will be <b><i>the Son of the Most High</i></b>; God’s Son. <b>(2.)</b> <b><i>The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David</i></b>; and so He will also be David’s son. So both God and man, this child from Mary. And <b>(3.)</b> <b><i>He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will have no end</i></b>. Which, if you’ve been keeping score, fulfills all the promises about a house God made to David. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, interestingly, God built this house <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> when Israel was at its summit, like when David was king, but exactly when it wasn’t. Israel wasn’t even a nation anymore. That had gone away a long time ago. They were under Roman rule now. Yes, there was a grand and glorious Temple in Jerusalem, the one Herod built, the problem was what was going on inside wasn’t exactly holy. It was more like a market, with buying and selling. More like a business, with moneychanging and taxes. More political, with power-hungry high priests and Pharisees. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Gabriel came and announced God’s building program to Mary, that Temple, grand and glorious as it was on the outside, only had about 70 years of life left. It would soon be destroyed. But the house that <i>God</i> was building, was a forever house, a forever Temple. And <i>how</i> God did that was surprising, too. Even more than taking up residence in the body of Mary. For God would build this house, this kingdom, <i>by being destroyed!</i> By being crucified by those who <i>thought</i> they were doing <i>a good thing</i> and protecting this grand and glorious building called the Temple. God’s house! No. Instead, the God who took up residence in the man Jesus then rose from the dead, ensuring that a son of David - <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> Son of David! - would sit on his throne forever. And with that, the forever house of David was complete. And that grand and glorious brick and mortar Temple was obsolete. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because what matters is not what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>we</i></span> build, but what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>God</i></span> builds.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe that’s hard for us to think, to remember. Because we <i>see</i> what <i>we</i> do, and maybe we mistake what we do for what God is really doing, if He’s using us. But it’s really what God is doing. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mary couldn’t make that mistake! <b><i>How will this be, since I am a virgin?</i></b> she asked the angel. She <span style="text-decoration: underline;">knew</span> she couldn’t do it! And while Gabriel’s answer is great: <b><i>nothing is impossible with God</i></b>, maybe if we turn that around to the positive it’s even better: <i>everything </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span><i> possible </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">with</span><i> God</i>. A virgin <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>can</i></span> conceive and bear a child. A kingdom and a throne <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>can</i></span> last forever. And maybe even best of all, sinners like you and me <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>can</i></span> be forgiven and saved. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Can</i></span> be part of that house of David that will last forever. And baptized into Jesus, <i>you are</i>. You are a part of that kingdom that will never end.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what this season of Advent has been all about. It is what Christmas is all about. Not just the birth of a king and a kingdom here on earth, but the return of the King and a kingdom that has no end. The kingdom <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>God</i></span> is building <i>for us</i>, in His Son. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And maybe it looks like a tent.</b> A building not very grand and glorious. A building here that isn’t even ours! But remember, it’s not what the building looks like on the outside that matters, but what happens inside. Sins are forgiven. People are baptized into Christ. The eternal Word, eternal truth, is read and proclaimed. God’s people are fed <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>by</i></span> God Himself, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>with</i></span> God Himself, the Body and Blood of the Son of David. These are the things grand and glorious. And grand and glorious is the place where these take place, whether they be in a grand and glorious building, in a hospital room, a nursing home, or even a tent.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But I worry. I worry that we are a little like David. In a couple of ways. First, we live pretty comfortable lives, in pretty comfortable homes. God has blessed us like He blessed David. But is God dwelling in a tent <i>in your life?</i> That is, are other things more important, more prominent, more your focus, than God in your life? So your life <i>good</i> . . . but at the same time, something <i>not quite right</i> . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then this, too: just like David, we, too, want to build God a house. We’ve been trying to get a Church building, or to build one, for a while now. A place for God, and at least <i>a little</i> grand and glorious! Maybe not a Temple, but . . . And that’s good. Our heart is in the right place. But so far, God has had other ideas. So far, God has said to us as He said to David: no.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eventually the Temple got built, and maybe eventually we’ll get a church building, too. But whether we do or not, or in our lifetimes or not, <b>God is building us a house</b>. Of that we can be sure. In this place He has brought people to faith. In this place He has forgiven sins and given us of His holiness. In this place His Word and Spirit are working. In this place we have been fed and nourished and strengthened. And none of this - NONE of this! - has been our doing. Not those of you still here who started this church. Not your pastor. Not those who have worked tirelessly for many years for us to be here today, though we are thankful to you all. This is the work of God and His house. He has brought all of us here and put us in it, put us IN HIM. Maybe you weren’t the most likely candidate for that, pretty far gone, pretty sinful. <b><i>But nothing is impossible for God</i></b>. And if God can conceive His Son in the womb of a virgin, He can conceive faith in our hearts as well.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, as we gather here today, on this day which is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve, we have <b>two</b> reasons to repent and <b>one</b> very great reason to rejoice! <b>First</b>, <b>repent</b> of when you have not put God in the right place in your life, and when you have not seen how glorious this place really is, with the presence of your Lord and His gifts. And <b>then</b> <b>rejoice</b> that tonight <b>a Saviour was born</b>. And not just <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>a</i></span> Saviour, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>your</i></span> Saviour. The promised Son of David, the Son of God, in human flesh. And He has built a house for you. A forever house. And while <span style="text-decoration: underline;">it</span> may not look like much now, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> may not look like much now, do not be fooled. One day, you will see. You will see a grand and glorious Church of grand and glorious people. The work of Jesus, who didn’t look grand and glorious when He was laid in a manger or hung on a cross, but He was. And is. And so are you, in Him.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Let it be to me according to your word</i></b>. May those words of Mary be your words as well. Words of faith, words of hope, words of confidence. Because God’s Word has promised you great and glorious. So why keep trying to build your own house, when you have a much greater one promised you? No. <b><i>Let it be to me according to your word</i></b>, O Lord. And it will. <b><i>For nothing is impossible with God</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-41648040091272554462023-12-21T08:13:00.004-05:002023-12-21T08:14:11.346-05:00Sermon for Advent 3 Midweek Evening Prayer<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Advent/Advent3Mid.mp3">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<i>The Night Will Soon Be Ending</i>: The Light that Has No End”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Isaiah 42:5-9, 16; Revelation 21:9b-11, 22-27; John 8:12; 12:31-36, 44-46</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: large;">The night will soon be ending, the dawn cannot be far </i><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(LSB #337 v.1)</span><i style="font-size: large;">.</i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But it’s always darkest before the dawn, as the saying goes. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is what Scripture tells us, too. That this world is not progressing toward utopia. This world is not getting better. If we think it is, it’s because we don’t know good anymore. We have gotten to the point that Isaiah once prophesied, of </span><i style="font-size: large;">those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Isaiah 5:20)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">! </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sin, rather, continues its inexorable work of darkness, decay, destruction, and death. Devouring whatever it sinks its teeth into. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But as we have been thinking about this Advent season, into this darkness God has shined His light. The light of His love. The light of His promise to give life to a dying creation. And this light, though it be but a small flicker of light, scatters the darkness and brings hope. And it is good that it is but a flicker and not the full, bright light. For when you are in the darkness and a bright light is turned on, it is blinding, it hurts, it drives you away. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden when God came to them after they sinned and plunged this world and themselves into the darkness of sin and death. They hid from the light. But a small light bring relief and draws us to it. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A small light is enough. Though we might wonder what a small flicker of light can do against such pervasive and deepening darkness, it is enough. For even a small light scatters the darkness. And though, at times, it seemed like this light almost went out, it never did. When the faith was down to eight - to just Noah and his family. When Elijah thought he was the <i>only</i> one left. When Jesus bowed His head and died on the cross. Those were dark days. And what of our day and age? When the truth is under siege, when truth for many no longer matters, when life continues to be devalued and belittled, and death is held up as the answer to your problems, whether it be abortion, assisted suicide, or depopulation.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But still the light shines. Because <b><i>the light of the world</i></b> is still here. And He isn’t going anywhere. He cannot be extinguished. He cannot be driven out. His light is shining one word, one deed, one person at a time. Driving out the darkness with the forgiveness of sin and the gift of new life. And then that light of new life shines, too. A miracle? Yes, no less. The miracle of faith. The work of God in His world, in His people. For our God is the light that has no beginning, and <b>the light that has no end</b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: large;">Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome </i><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><i>(Liturgy of Evening Prayer)</i></span><i style="font-size: large;">.</i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And the light that will, one day, overcome the darkness, once and for all. When the old creation is replaced by the new creation. When all things are made new again. When darkness is cast out because what caused it is cast out - when sin and death are themselves cast into the lake of fire </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Revelation 20:14)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. So all there is is light. The light of the Lamb. The light of His love. The light of His goodness. No sun or moon anymore. Just His light. And that is enough. </span><b style="font-size: large;">The light that has no end</b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That day is the day, as we heard, of the great wedding feast, when Bride and Bridegroom, Christ and His Church, are united forever. All will be fulfilled. The glory of the Bride will be seen, the glory that here was hidden. For the Church now is despised and scorned, mocked and thought irrelevant, out of touch, behind the times. But only to those in the darkness. Only to those who do not see with the eyes of faith. For with the eyes of faith, the Church is perfect, holy, cleansed, radiant. So on the Last Day, when the Church, the Bride, is seen in the light of the Lamb, what will be seen is not new - just what had been hidden, but now revealed. A Church glorious and radiant, shining with the brilliance of <b>the light that has no end</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that day is not yet. It is coming. Hopefully soon! But not yet. So until that day, Jesus said: <b><i>The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.</i></b> And how true that is! Those outside the Church, outside of Christ, do not know where they are going, otherwise they would not want to go there and continue what they’re doing! Those outside of Christ do not know what the future holds - and not just the fear of a nuclear holocaust or a climate apocalypse - but what comes after that. If anything! </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But to walk in the light of Christ is to know the future that awaits us. To know that the darkness cannot win. And so to walk even now in the light - small and flickering though it may be. To live as sons of light, seeing with the eyes of faith, seeing what the world cannot see. But shining that light in word and deed, that others, too, would <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> <i>see and believe</i>, but believe and see. And seeing, rejoice. And rejoicing, live in peace and hope. The peace of the forgiveness of sin, and the hope of <b>the light</b> - and life - <b>that has no end</b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So as we enter these last few days of the Advent season, how appropriate that tomorrow is the one day in the year when there is the least amount of daylight and the darkness is the longest. And maybe you’ve had more than your fair share of darkness in your life. Maybe your whole life seems like the darkest day of the year. Sadness, trials, troubles, separation, doubt, fear, and more. If so, how good to know that </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Night Will Soon Be Ending,</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The dawn cannot be far.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">[So] Let songs of praise ascending</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Now greet the Morning Star!</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">All you whom darkness frightens</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">With guilt of grief or pain,</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s radiant Star now brightens</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And bids you sing again.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet nights will bring their sadness</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And rob our hearts of peace,</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And sin in all its madness</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Around us [</i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">will</span><i>] increase.</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">But now one Star is beaming</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Whose rays have pierced the night:</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God comes for our redeeming</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">From sin’s oppressive night.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">[For] God dwells with us in darkness</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And makes the night as day;</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet we resist the brightness</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">And turn from God away.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">But grace does not forsake us,</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">However far we run.</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">God claims us as His children</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: large;">Through Mary’s infant Son</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(LSB #337 vs. 1, 4-5)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Through the Light of the Creator, shining forth from the manger; the light that has no end. The light that draws us to Himself, that takes away our fear. The light that opens the eyes of the blind with the gift of faith. The light of life. The light that brings order into our disordered lives and world, and gives us hope. That even in the darkest days, we never be without hope. For yes, the night <span style="text-decoration: underline;">will</span> soon be ending!</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><div><br /></div>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-54985584355655945552023-12-18T05:38:00.001-05:002023-12-18T05:38:35.375-05:00Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Advent/Advent3.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Pointing to the Gift”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: John 1:6-8; 19-28; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s now just about a week until Christmas. I’m sure you’ve been preparing. Perhaps making travel plans. Probably gift shopping. Maybe baking. You might have your tree up already, and maybe there is even a gift already under it waiting to be opened in a week. And, of course, there are two questions about that gift: <i>what is it?</i> and, <i>who is it from?</i> To find out the first - <i>what is it?</i> - maybe you shake it, take a guess by the size and shape; but really, you have to unwrap it. To find out the second - <i>who is it from?</i> - you look at the tag.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But what if it doesn’t have a tag? Then you have a problem. Then you have to try to figure it out. Investigate. Does the wrapping paper match other gifts that you unwrapped? Who would give such a gift? Who thinks like that?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, I submit to you today that’s exactly what the Pharisees were doing with John, when they sent some folks to find out: <i>what is it?</i> and <i>who is it from?</i> For John was a <b>very popular gift</b>. As we heard last week, people from Jerusalem and Judea and the whole area were going out to him. But what we heard today is that the Jewish leaders didn’t know much about him, so they sent some priests and Levites to unwrap him and look at his gift tag. Find out, and bring back an answer.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, maybe you’ve never thought about John <i>as a gift</i> before. He’s not very Christmassy, after all. But he <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> very Adventy. So hold onto that thought; I’ll get to that in a moment.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First, though, back to the men sent by the Pharisees. <b><i>Who are you?</i></b> they ask. It’s like they’re shaking the box. He’s <b><i>not the Christ</i></b>. Is he <b><i>Elijah</i></b>? No, not Elijah either. <b><i>The prophet?</i></b> The prophet Moses promised would come after him and lead the people into the Promised Land? Nope, not him either. Well <b><i>who are you</i></b>, then? All wrapped up in your camel’s hair coat, leather belt, and eating locusts and wild honey. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now John had bona fides. He could have said: <i>I am a priest!</i> Because he was the son of the priest Zechariah, so he was a descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother. But though true, that’s not really who he was. He was more than that. He had a special vocation. He was a special gift. <b><i>I am the voice</i></b>, he said. The one the prophet Isaiah talked about. Preparing the way for the one coming after me, who is greater than me, and so much greater, so much bigger, so much more that <b><i>I am not even worthy to untie the strap of his sandal</i></b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So here’s what’s going on: they unwrapped this gift without a tag, but it is one of those packages that doesn’t have the gift inside, <i>but a clue</i> so that you can find the gift! The real gift, the greater gift, the bigger gift. The gift coming next. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>That’s</i></span> the one you want. John’s just there to point the way to Him. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, John - not the Baptist, but the Apostle, who wrote the Gospel we heard this morning - tells <span style="text-decoration: underline;">us</span> the answer to what the Pharisees were trying to figure out: <i>who he is</i> and <i>where he was from</i>. So we know! <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We know who sent that gift and put it under the tree. But at that time, the Pharisees didn’t. So first, let me just read those words again, and then I’ll explain them. This is what John (the apostle) said: <b><i>There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.</i></b></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And here’s what that means, putting it into our context, into our story: <b><i>There was a man </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>sent<i> </i>from God</b></span><b><i> </i></b>[so that’s what the tag said: <i>from God</i>]<b><i>, whose name was John. He came as a </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>witness</b></span><b><i> </i></b>[as a voice, the clue]<b><i>, to bear witness </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>about</b></span><b><i> </i></b>[to point to]<b><i> the </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>light</b></span><b><i> </i></b>[the gift]<b><i>, that all might </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>believe</b></span><b><i> through him </i></b>[that all might receive that gift]<b><i>. He was not the </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>light</b></span><b><i> </i></b>[he was not the gift]<b><i>, but came to </i></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>bear witness</b></span><b><i> about the light</i></b> [that is, be the clue that points to it]. So that the people then, and people still today, would receive the gift - the gift not just of a prophet (the smaller gift), but of a Saviour (the greater gift).</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now this is a good time to circle back to what I said before: you may never have thought about John as a gift before, because he’s not very Christmassy. In our world today, once November comes, it’s <i>the holiday season</i> and we tend to rush right to Christmas. Even Thanksgiving is now just kind of a speed bump on that super highway! The focus is on the lights, the presents, the music. And that’s okay. I’m not going to stand up here and tell you to be a Scrooge or a Grinch. But the <i>danger</i> is that this gift from God gets shoved under the tree, and to the back, against the wall, and forgotten about, or overlooked. So here in the Church, John comes. To get us to slow down a little. Tap the brakes. To be the guy with the radar gun on that super highway to Christmas! To be a gift we get to open <i>before</i> Christmas, so that when the real gift, the big gift comes, we’re ready.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And again, we heard last week what John’s voice says: <b>John calls us to repent</b>. Because if the <i>real</i> gift that’s coming is the gift of a Saviour, the gift of the forgiveness of your sins, the gift of the Spirit, the gift of life - life after death, then how we get ready for that gift <b>is to repent</b>. Because if you don’t, if you don’t know you’re a sinner who needs the gift of a Saviour and forgiveness and life, then unwrapping that gift is a bit like unwrapping a present and finding underwear instead of the video game you wanted! You’re disappointed, <i>or worse - </i>you don’t want it; you toss it aside. You toss HIM aside. But if you know that a Saviour is the gift you <i>really</i> need, then there is joy when you receive that gift. Joy, when you look in the manger, or in the Font as we did last Sunday, or on the altar as we do every Sunday, or what you hear from the chancel, and you know . . . <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>this</i></span> is the gift. The gift above all others. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, we didn’t hear John’s preaching this morning like we did last week, calling us to repent. But he said he was the one spoken of by Isaiah - and we <span style="text-decoration: underline;">did</span> hear from Isaiah what this one, this <b><i>voice</i></b>, would speak, and to whom. So we’ll let Isaiah do the preaching! And these were the folks that the <b><i>voice</i></b>, that John, was sent to . . . John was sent</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(+)</b> to the <b><i>poor</i></b>, or those bent low under heavy burdens. And that’s you. Bent low under heavy burdens of sin, guilt, worry, fear. For yourself, for your families, for other loved ones. Burdens that sometimes seem crushing.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(+)</b> to the <b><i>brokenhearted</i></b>, or those shattered. To those with shattered hopes, or dreams, or lives. Things not working out as you hope or planned, and you’re left in pieces. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(+)</b> to the <b><i>captives</i></b>, like when Israel was captive in Egypt, or later in Babylon. Bonds from <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>without</i></span>, from others, holding you down, holding you back, controlling you.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(+)</b> to those who are <b><i>bound</i></b>, with bonds from <i>within</i> - the bonds of sin, your sin, holding you down, holding you back, controlling you. Sin you don’t want but sin you can’t shake! What is it for you? Those sin you seem to always need to confess? Of greed, of anger, of sex, of abuse, of lies, of covetousness, of neglecting God and His Word . . .</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(+)</b> to those who <b><i>mourn</i></b>, and there is plenty to mourn in our world. The death of people, the death of civility, the death of relationships and marriages, and so much more. So much death caused by sin. Our sin.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(+)</b> to those with <b><i>a faint spirit</i></b>, or those disheartened. Ready to give up, ready to give in, ready to lose hope that anything’s going to change, that anything’s going to get better. And who among us hasn’t felt <i>that</i> way?</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So yes, to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span> John comes again, to, as Isaiah says, bring good news, proclaim liberty, the opening of the prison, the unchaining, the Lord’s favor, comfort, gladness, and praise. That God is coming to save. That God is <i>adventing</i> to set things right again. Or as I tell my catechism classes, to fulfill the promise He made to Adam and Eve in the beginning, to make things right and good again. To fix what they - and we - broke, and break. God made that promise and the whole rest of the Bible is about how God kept that promise! That in a world filled with the <b><i>poor</i></b>, the <b><i>brokenhearted</i></b>, those held <b><i>captive</i></b>, those <b><i>bound</i></b>, those who <b><i>mourn</i></b>, and those with a <b><i>faint spirit</i></b> - and Adam and Eve and all people since have been those things - that there be hope. Hope that now, God is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">coming</span><i>, adventing,</i> to save.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So John may not be very <i>Christmassy</i>, but he is <i>Adventy</i>. And we need Advent to be ready for Christmas! We need the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">little</span> gift with the clue inside, with the voice inside, so that we receive the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">big</span> gift. So that you look in the manger and see your Saviour. So that you look on the cross and see your Saviour. So that you come to altar and say, <i>yes, my Saviour!</i> And that on the Last Day you rise, and see your Saviour <i>forever</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until that day, Paul says to <b><i>rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, </i></b>he says<b><i>. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil</i></b>. Which, if you take these words out of context, just sounds like a bunch of demands. But really, these are all things that come from receiving the gift - the main gift, the big gift, of a Saviour and His forgiveness and life. With that, with Him, comes - to all those people Isaiah talked about - joy and prayer and thanks; the Spirit of God, not of the world; truth and good and not indulging, but abstaining from evil. Or in other words, <b>a new life</b>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>that’s</i></span> the real gift John wants you to have, and the gift Jesus has come to provide for you. So that when people want to know <i>who are </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>you</i></span><i>?</i> you can confess, <b>I am a child of God</b>. Which may not sound like much compared to all that people claim for themselves and claim to be in our world today. But John would say: <i>Oh, it is!</i> There is no greater gift you could receive than of a Saviour, and to be His own, His child. And then living that new life of joy and prayer and thanks and the Spirit and truth and good, you then get to be like John - a voice, a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">little</span> gift to others, pointing them to the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">big</span> gift; pointing them to Jesus. Not because you have to, but because that’s <i>who you are</i>. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2051526608233631620.post-37785276400503816152023-12-14T05:41:00.005-05:002023-12-14T05:42:07.848-05:00Sermon for Advent 2 Midweek Evening Prayer<p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.saint-athanasius.org/Sermons/2023/Advent/Advent2Mid.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesu Juva</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<i>The Night Will Soon Be Ending</i>: The Light of the World in the Manger”</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text: Luke 1:68-79; Isaiah 9:2-6; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6;</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of Jesus. Amen.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-size: large;">The night will soon be ending, the dawn cannot be far </i><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(LSB #337 v.1)</span><i style="font-size: large;">.</i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, we considered that the light of creation first revealed <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> a perfectly ordered creation, but one that was <i>tohu wabohu</i> - formless and void. But that God, by His Word, brought order to His creation, and it was good. <i>Very</i> good. Until, that is, man brought darkness and disorder back again, with our sin; the evidence of which we see all around us still today. But a good and gracious and lovingly persistent God could not, would not, stand idly by, but shone His light into the darkness again, with the light of a promise. A light not only to reveal the <i>tohu wabohu</i> of our sin, but a promise to bring order out of our disorder; to scatter the darkness of sin, that we live in the light of His forgiveness and love. That we not get what we deserve, but instead be the recipients of His mercy and grace. Good news, indeed.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And tonight, our focus is on that promise fulfilled, as the small flicker of a promise in the beginning was fanned into the flame of God’s love, until <i>The Light of the World </i>shone<i> in the Manger</i>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Consider, though, for a moment, how hard a promise this was to keep! Because we, men and women across the centuries, kept getting in the way and trying to mess it up! In the Holy Gospel we heard tonight, the words of Zechariah, he said that God <b><i>remembered his holy covenant</i></b>, <b><i>to show the mercy promised to our fathers</i></b>, <b><i>the oath he swore to our father Abraham</i></b>. Abraham, who would have lost his wife Sarah to the Egyptians had God not intervened, and who then got tired of waiting for God to remember him and so had a son through Sarah’s maidservant Hagar. The promise then went through Isaac, who preferred his son Esau to Jacob, even though the promise would pass down to Jacob, and Jacob who was no paragon of virtue! Jacob’s son were a wild bunch, rollicking in all kinds of sins, not the least of which was selling their brother Joseph into slavery and then telling their father he was dead. After God’s marvelous deliverance of them from their slavery in Egypt, the people did nothing but grumble and complain against God and how He wasn’t doing anything right, and, oh yeah, there was the golden calf incident! The promise went to David who both soared to heights of greatness and plummeted into the depths of sin, and then to his son Solomon, who followed in his steps. You get the picture.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But God is God through all time and eternity, unchanged and unchanging. And so the good and gracious and lovingly persistent God who in the beginning could not, would not, stand idly by, but shone His light into the darkness again, <i>kept doing so</i>. Kept repeating His promise. Kept shining that light. Until that light shone from the manger. Until for us <b><i>a child was born</i></b>, and <b><i>a son given</i></b>. And there, in that small package, the light of God’s faithfulness, the light of His love, the light of His mercy and grace, shone never so brightly. </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is good news for us who follow in the footsteps of our fathers in the faith. For who among us can cast the first stone? Who among us has not doubted like Abraham, or also taken matters into our own hands? Or played favorites or hurt others to do what we thought best? Or lied and deceived to get what we wanted? Who among us hasn’t plunged into the depths of sin, or grumbled and complained that God wasn’t doing things right, or worshipped our own golden calves, our own false gods? Please stand up so we can admire you and give you a gold star!</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And yet still God is shining His light into our dark, disordered world and lives. To, as Zechariah said, <b><i>give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace</i></b>. Which is the cross. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">That</span> is <b><i>the way of peace</i></b>. A place of pain and torture, suffering and death, transformed by God into an instrument of peace. That there be peace between God and man again. Peace in our hearts roiled by sin and guilt. For this <b><i>a child was born</i></b>. For this <b><i>a son was given</i></b>. To fulfill God’s promise and die. And if this was a hard promise to keep because we kept getting in the way and trying to mess it up, <i>even more</i> was it a hard promise to keep because of the enormity of it - the enormity of the sin and guilt heaped upon Jesus. For as Isaiah said, this darkness was no small darkness, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>deep</i></b></span><b><i> darkness</i></b>. So the child from the manger sweating great drops of blood. The child from the manger forsaken by His Father. The child from the manger sealed in the darkness of a tomb. To break even <i>that</i> darkness with the light of His life.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And with that, <b><i>the sunrise from on high</i></b> has dawned upon us. <i>The Morning Star</i> has risen, to bring order to our <i>tohu wabohu</i> disordered hearts and lives again. So as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, <b><i>we do not lose heart</i></b>. We <b>renounce<i> the disgraceful, underhanded ways</i></b> of darkness. We <b><i>refuse to practice cunning or tamper with God’s Word</i></b>. We proclaim the truth. The promise kept. The light in the manger. The light from the cross. And the light in the darkness which shines in our hearts. The light which, yes, reveals our sin, but only for this: <i>to atone for it</i>. To not cover it and hide it again with darkness, but obliterate it with the light of forgiveness. Or as Paul put it, <b><i>to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ</i></b>.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which is a verse and a thought worth pondering for a moment . . . </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>the light</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> . . . </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>of the knowledge of the glory of God</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> . . . </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>in the </i></b><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>face</i></b></span><b style="font-size: large;"><i> of Jesus Christ</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span><i style="font-size: large;">The face</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> of Jesus that looked upon Peter after his three denials and made him weep tears of repentance. </span><i style="font-size: large;">The face </i><span style="font-size: medium;">of Jesus that looked upon the thief on the cross next to Him, that he confess and ask for salvation. </span><i style="font-size: large;">The face</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> of Jesus that looked upon those eleven cowering, frightened disciples and said </span><i style="font-size: large;">peace be with you</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(John 20:19, 21)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span><i style="font-size: large;">The face</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> of Jesus which is the face of God. </span><i style="font-size: large;">The face</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> of Jesus which fulfills the Benediction of Aaron heard so often and for so long: </span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord bless you and keep you; </span></i></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>the Lord make his </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>face</b></span><i> to shine upon you and be gracious to you; </i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>the Lord lift up his countenance - </i>that is, His<i> </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>face</b></span><i> - upon you </i></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: large; white-space: pre;"> </span><i style="font-size: large;">and give you peace</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(Numbers 6:24-26)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That baby in the manger is the very face of God, shining upon us. The Lord blessing us, keeping us, gracing us, lifting us, and giving us peace. The Light of the World shining brightly from the manger.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or as we sang:</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Night Will Soon Be Ending</i>, for</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><i style="font-size: large;">The One whom angels tended comes near, a child, to serve;<br />
thus God, the judge offended, bears all our sins deserve.<br />
The guilty need not cower, for God has reconciled<br />
through his redemptive power all those who trust this child</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">(LSB #337 v.2)</span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Optima; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></p><div><br /></div>Pastor Peasanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230028305397510765noreply@blogger.com0