Sermon for the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels

LISTEN

Jesu Juva

“A Kingdom at War”

Text: Luke 10:17-20; Revelation 12:7-12; Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3

 

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

So the past few weeks, we’ve been hearing about and thinking about what the kingdom of heaven is like, through some parables of Jesus. And kingdom of heaven meaning not just what life is going to be like after we die, but the kingdom of heaven we’re already living in now, that heavenly life we’re already living now, as baptized children of God. Christians living in the world but no longer of the world. This whole new life that we have to learn, this life of unlimited forgiveness and great grace, kind of like a newborn baby coming into a whole new world. And it’s not only a very different kingdom, a very different way of living, but a far superior life that we now get to live. No longer trapped in old and sinful ways, but set free to live as little Christs in the world.

And this theme continues today in the readings that we heard. Today as we hear that this new kingdom that we are living in is a kingdom at war. That whether we are aware of it or not, there is spiritual warfare going on all around us. 

Now, you all know something about war. We have the war going on in Iran right now. The Ukraine-Russia war has been going on for a number of years. Before that were the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And those are just the wars in the news and that our country has been involved with. There have been others as well. But the thing about these wars is that they’re here and there, from time to time. There is fighting, then peace; fighting, then peace. 

But the spiritual war we heard about today is not like that. It is continual. And in every place. As much as you may want to escape it, you can’t. The devil and his angels have been thrown down to the earth, so woe to us, for they have come down in great wrath, because they know that their time is short. Which means they’re going all in. Saving nothing in reserve. A full out assault until their time runs out. Until Jesus comes again in glory and puts an end to it all. 

Now I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty daunting to me! An enemy we know but cannot see, with attacks which are mainly spiritual not physical, and so we also cannot see, (although some I think we can see), and which is our constant reality. So that we always have to be vigilant and always fighting. Seems like a big ask! And it is. Which is why this day we celebrate Saint Michael and All Angels. To remember and rejoice in the fact that we do not fight alone, but that God’s angels are fighting for us. God’s angels who do not tire or grow weary as we do, but are always on guard for us. So guardian angels, as they have been called.

But how does this all work? Because maybe you’re wondering, if God is for us, and His angels are fighting for us, why are we still under attack? Why do we still have to fight? 

Well, part of that we must leave to the mystery of God. That God did not just annihilate the devil and his angels when they rebelled but had them cast down from heaven to earth, that was His decision, part of His plan, which He did not reveal to us. But since Scripture says that God uses all things for our good - ALL things! - that means He is able to do that with the devil and his angels as well. Use them for His good. When Luther thought about that, he would say that God uses the attacks of the devil and his angels to keep driving us back to God, back to prayer, back to His means of grace. To keep us looking to God and relying on God. And I think that’s true. You know it from your own life. When things are going well and smoothly and you don’t have a lot of problems, it’s easy to get lazy as a Christian . . . forget to pray, skip Church, neglect reading the Bible and our devotions . . . It’s when things get crazy and tough and are falling apart that we go back to these things and cry out for help! Which we should! But maybe we need a push from time to time!

But that’s just one reason . . . I think there’s another, and that’s (frankly) our stupidity. Sin makes us stupid. The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That is, faith in God, relying on God is smart, is wise. Sin makes us stupid. Sin makes us do stupid things. Let me give an example . . .

The hymn we just sang said that Christ, the Lord of hosts, has slammed the devil and his angels into their steely cage (LSB #521 v.1). That’s not a quote from Scripture, but the idea is there - of satan and his angels being conquered and in prison. But if that’s so, why do we have to worry about them? Well, as I said, because we’re stupid. So let’s go with that idea . . .

Picture satan in prison. Behind bars. That’s good, right? He can’t do anything to you. He’s in there and you’re out here. But he starts talking to you . . . and telling you how good he has it and how bad it is for you! Which sounds stupid, right? But he says: Look at me! I have it made in here. I get three hots and a cot - three meals a day and a place to sleep. For free! I don’t have to pay a mortgage or rent. I have security 24/7. No commute to work. I don’t have to work! My time is my own! Someone does my laundry for me, cooks for me, feeds me. This is great! But you! Working, paying, struggling . . . You should come in here! Join me. It’s better in here . . .

Stupid, right? But we do. We go into the cage of bitterness and anger. We go into the cage of lust and sexual sins. We go into the cage of rebellion, or the cage of despair. We go into the cage of envy and jealousy and coveting. We go into the cage of selfishness. We go in because we hear these things will be better, will make our life better, will make us happy, will get us what we want. And we go in . . . and then find out the truth: that we are imprisoned to these things. It was all a lie. And now we’re in the cage with the one we don’t want to be in the cage with!

But there’s something in the catechism called the Office of the Keys, remember that? It’s the authority to forgive. To unlock the prison we’ve stupidly put ourselves in and set us free again. That’s what you hear at the beginning of the Divine Service here every Sunday. We come and confess our stupidity, our sins, and you hear the key turn and the prison door opening . . . in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins  . . . 

This is part of what we heard today in the reading from Revelation. That in addition to the fighting and protection of God’s angels, they have conquered him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. In this war, this spiritual war, we fight not with sword and spear, bullet and bomb, and not with our own strength, power, and smarts - but with spiritual weapons: the Word and Sacraments. For in these is the blood of the Lamb, the blood of Jesus, that won the battle for us. They may not seem like much, just words and water and bread and wine compared to all the sin and evil we see when we walk out those doors, but do not be deceived. The reading from Revelation today talked about satan as a great dragon and Jesus as a Lamb. And in a battle of a lamb against a dragon, all reason would say the lamb stands no chance! And yet the Lamb won! Through His death and resurrection, Jesus, the Lamb of God, won for you the forgiveness of all your sins, the opening of your prison door, and a new life in His kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. And that new life, forgiveness, and salvation He put here for you, in these things that seems as strong and powerful as a lamb! And they are! For they are the power of the Lamb of God.

So when the devil invited Jesus into his steely cage, when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, how did Jesus fight back? Not with His divine strength, but with the Word of God. And that Word won, countering the lies of the devil. Were the angels there? We find out at the end, yes, they were. That when the temptations were finished (for now!), the angels came and ministered to Jesus (Matthew 4:11). We also hear they were there when Jesus was arrested and on His way to the cross. He tells His disciples not to fight with sword and spear, for, He says, Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53)? And the Old Testament is filled with stories of angels fighting for God’s people, thousands of angels on the ready all around (i.e. 2 Kings 6:17). And today especially we give thanks for that, and for them.

But we also heard from Jesus today that there is something far greater than that for which to give thanks. When the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And Jesus said to them . . . Yup! But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. The battles and fights continue, and we have the Word and Sacraments as our weapons that are more powerful than the dragon (if we aren’t stupid and use them!), but even greater than that is that your name has been written by the Lamb’s blood in the Lamb’s book of life. That you have been brought into His kingdom to live a new life. And that when the battles and fights are finally over, Jesus’ victory will remain, and you will awake to everlasting life. 

So that’s another aspect of our reality living in the kingdom of heaven here on earth. It’s not easy, but it’s good. We have a powerful enemy, but an even more powerful Saviour. And His powerful angels, fighting for us. Remember that! When you’re weak, when you’re struggling, when you stupidly listen to the evil one, when you feel caught in the middle, when you’re being attacked on all sides, turn to the Word and blood of the Lamb, cry out, repent, and receive His victory in His absolution and in His Body and Blood. And rejoice! Because you know what? Satan can’t! He has no joy. Only gloom, only anger, for he knows his time is short. But yours is everlasting! So he wants to rob you of your joy and plunge you into his gloom and anger. Don’t bite! Don’t fall for it! Rejoice! Laugh at his lies. Laugh at him. Rub it in his face! And walk away. Because in the end, those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

That’s your future, dear child of God. 

So today we thank the Lord for His angels and their protection. But even more, we thank and praise their leader, which the angels do, too! Around His throne, continually.We thank and praise the Lord of hosts, the Lord God Sabaoth, the Lord of power and might, our Lord Jesus Christ, for His greater gifts, for His death, for His resurrection, for His forgiveness, for His life and salvation. 

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week of Pentecost 18 (September 28 - October 3, 2026)

Invocation: In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Philippians 3:13b-14 – “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #544 “O Love, How Deep”

Hymns for Sunday: 506, 544, 624, 536, 571, 585

Readings for the Week: [The readings for Thursday-Saturday are the Scriptures for this coming Sunday.]

Monday: Psalm 80:7-19

How does this reading start and end the same? How is it also  different? What (and who!) is our only hope? Why? How?

Tuesday: Psalm 91

What is frightening in this psalm? What is comforting? What promises are here for you? How are these fulfilled for you?

Wednesday: Deuteronomy 10:12-21

Why should we walk in the ways of the Lord? How do we do this? Why are they good for us? 

Thursday: Isaiah 5:1–7

How are God’s people Israel described? What does God expect? But what does He get? Why? So what does He do? Why? 

Friday: Philippians 3:4b–14

How does Paul describe his former life? How does he describe his present life? How are they different? Which is better? Why?

Saturday: Matthew 21:33-46

Why did the tenants do what they did? What/who did they love? Why did the owner do what he did? What/who did he love? What does this teach us about God and his love?

The Catechism - The Lord’s Prayer: The Conclusion: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. What does this mean? This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “yes, yes, it shall be so.”

Collect for the Week: Gracious God, You gave Your Son into the hands of sinful men who killed Him. Forgive us when we reject Your unfailing love, and grant us the fullness of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

The Prayers:  Please pray for . . .

+ yourself and for all in need (remembering especially those on our prayer list).

+ God’s blessing, wisdom, and guidance for our congregation vice president, Rob Douthwaite.

+ Lutheran Church in Africa - Synod of Benin, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for the Higher Things youth organization.

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer from the Catechism.

Now joyfully go about your day (or to bed) in good cheer, child of God!

Collect for the Week © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Lutheran Service Book Hymn License: 110019268

Sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

LISTEN

Jesu Juva

“We Get What Is Just - What Is Jesus”

Text: Matthew 20:1-16; Isaiah 55:6-9

 

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

So last week we heard the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, a parable often explained as “Forgive . . . or else!” And we thought about the fact that while there’s a little nugget of truth in that, there’s so much more to it. Much more to help us understand the kingdom of heaven and the new life we have been graciously given now.

Well today we have another parable that is often explained in a much too shallow way. This Parable is called the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, but I’ll call it the “Suck it Up, Buttercup!” parable! Stop whining! You got what God promised. He didn’t have to give you anything, but He did, graciously. So if He wants to give the same to others and be generous to them, He can do that. So stop complaining.

Just like last week, there’s a nugget of truth in that. It’s not wrong, but it’s not complete. I know I shouldn’t grumble and complain. But is that it? No. Just like last week, there’s more. For when we hear Jesus’ parables, they are to teach us Gospel, not Law. To teach us, as this parable starts, what living now in the kingdom of heaven is like.

So time to get a little deeper. Take another look and see what more there is here. And to do that, I think it’s the time stamps Jesus includes in the parable that can point us in the right direction. This is an all day parable. It starts early in the morning, then continues at the third, then the sixth, then the ninth hours of the day, then the eleventh hour, and then the day is over and the workers get their pay. 

That’s pretty precise, pretty exact. Why? Of what significance are the third, sixth, and ninth hours of the day? Or are they insignificant details that have no meaning at all?  

Well, if we think Christologically - which we should, since all the Scriptures are about Jesus, the Christ! If we think Christologically, the third hour is the hour Jesus was nailed to and lifted up on the cross; the sixth hour is the midpoint of His crucifixion, when, Matthew tells us, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (Matthew 27:45); and that ninth hour is the hour when Jesus died. These are the cardinal hours, the touchpoint hours, of Jesus’ crucifixion; the hours when Jesus poured out His sweat and blood for us. Which I don’t think is a coincidence!

In addition to those time stamps, there are also two other, more general ones: the early morning, the start of the day, and the eleventh hour, when the day is almost over and there’s not much day, or time, left. These, too, are Christological touchpoint times, for Scripture tells us that Jesus is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13).

So all of Matthew’s time stamps are hours of significance, Christological hours, there to teach us.

But . . . teach us what?

Well, first I would say to teach us that the worker in the vineyard, is Jesus. He is the one who - not to earn anything for Himself, but as we confess in the Creed, who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven - entered the vineyard, and earned for us - not a denarius, not just one day’s wage - much more than that! Who earned for us eternal life. All we have, we have because of Him. Because of His grace and mercy and calling us into His life. Because of His work, not ours.

Now that’s the foundation for our understanding. But we, too, of course, are called into the vineyard. To imitate Christ. So the work we do is the work He has done and the work He now does through us in the new life given to us - the new life of the Spirit. In the parable last week, the focus of that new life was forgiveness - forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us. In the parable today, that scope broadens a bit to include other works we do in this new life, works that we have been given to do and called to do in the vocations we have been graciously given. These are not works we have to do, but get to do. Works that Christ has set us free to do - caring for others, serving others. Because Christ has done all we need, we are now free to do for others. Spouses, families, neighbors, friends, even enemies - all people. Just as Jesus came and served all people. Even His enemies.

And, according to this parable, at the end of the day, the end of our lives, we will then receive whatever is right. That’s an okay translation - but just okay. Better is: whatever is just. Here’s the difference: What is “right,” seems to me, is a bit subjective. What is right and what is wrong in people’s minds sometime change over time, and these days, change from person to person! And so the workers who were paid last complained because they thought what the master was doing wasn’t right. And maybe it wasn’t, according to the standards of the day. Or even our standards today. How many times have we ourselves said, Not fair!

But what the master gives is just. That’s a better translation. A less squishy word. It a word akin to justice: what is right and wrong that is based on the objective standard of the law. 

And here’s where Christ comes in . . .

We don’t get what is right, or fair, from God. If we did, none of us would be here today! Because according to the Law, we are sinners who deserve nothing but punishment and condemnation. The Law that we have broken in our thoughts, words, deeds, and desires. The Law that we have broken by what we do and what we have failed to do. The Law that even on our best days we fail to do.

But because of Jesus, who for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven to live and work in the vineyard, in HIS kingdom we get what is just. What is HIS. And we do because what He did, He did for us, in our place. He did what we cannot. He kept the Law. He fulfilled it with His perfect life.  And then He received what wasn’t “right,” what He did not deserve - His crucifixion from the third through the sixth to the ninth hours. So by doing what we couldn’t, and then taking what we deserved, He earned for us the wage to heaven - the forgiveness, life, and salvation we need. And not just for us - He did so for all people of all ages and times - just as in the parable: from the beginning to the end, the alpha to omega. And what Jesus did . . . that changed the equation. That’s why each worker receives the same wage - because each of us here today, old Christian, young Christian, and Christians of all time, receive the same Jesus, the same gifts, the same forgiveness and life. It’s really not about what we do, but what Jesus has done for us. 

That we now get to do for others.

And so Jesus calls you into the vineyard, to all different labors. Some long, some short, some hard, some easier. Paul was called to be an apostle and he proclaimed the Word of God far and wide - and suffered greatly for it. Yet you receive the same as he in the kingdom of heaven, who honestly, probably worked far longer and harder than you! Is that fair? No. But it is just. It is Jesus. And maybe you can point to others and make the same comparison. And you can complain, like the workers in the vineyard, or you can rejoice like Paul did. And even more, like Jesus did! He who endured the cross, despising the shame, for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) - the joy of you and your salvation.

This is what the kingdom of heaven is like. It is a kingdom of grace, a kingdom of mercy, a kingdom of life, a kingdom of joy. A kingdom very unlike the world. A kingdom for all people. For you. It is a kingdom of gifts - gifts not primarily of silver of gold, or denarii or dollars, but of the holy, precious blood of Christ poured out from the cross. His holy precious blood put into water to wash you, into words to forgive you, and into Bread and Wine to feed, nourish, and strengthen you. His holy, precious blood to mark you as one redeemed by Christ, the crucified, and so one who will pass through temporal death to eternal life.

It’s not fair - it’s better. It’s Jesus. It’s true what Isaiah said (to paraphrase): we don’t think that way! But part of this new life we have received from Jesus is (as we learned last week) learning to forgive, and as we hear this week, learning to think differently. To think like Jesus. Higher thoughts of higher ways of higher things. That’s something St. Paul had to learn as well, that (as we heard today), For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. To live is Christ - to do what we have been given to do in the vineyard, which may be hard! And the gain comes in the end, when we die. When we rise with Christ and ascend with Christ to glory with Christ. That’s not yet, but it will be. It’s not of works, but of mercy and grace. It’s not fair, but it is just. And it is yours in Christ. The first who became the last, that we who are last might be first. That’s what the kingdom of heaven is like. And thanks be to God for that!

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.