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Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

On this day, July 28, in the year 1750, Johann Sebastian Bach died.  Christians celebrate the day of a believers death as his birthday into eternal life.  Johann believed in Jesus as his Savior. He now lives in Christ and awaits with us the resurrection.  He was a Lutheran Christian and a Kantor (choirmaster) at his church.  If you go to Leipzig, you can tour his home, and right across the street, see his church. To modern eyes it is a magnificent building. But, there are much larger and more ornate churches in Germany.

We are thankful that God has given us the Gospel through pastors, musicians, teachers, and all God’s people in His church.  He did this for you so that so that “you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” When you listen to the music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, this must be in your mind, or you will not understand it at all.  His work is a profound proclamation of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

When I visited Leipzig a number of years ago, I saw Bach’s church and visited his home, now a museum.  Though the church seemed amazing, it wasn’t, as I mentioned earlier, the most beautiful I had seen in Germany.  In fact, there was a more magnificent church right in town by the name of St. Paul’s, or in German, the Paulinerkirche.  But, I didn’t see St. Paul’s.  Why not? Leipzig is located in what was once Communist/Atheist East Germany.  Though the church survived World War II almost unscathed, the communists decided to dynamite the church to make room for expansion of the university.  That was their stated goal, but they demolished the beautiful St. Paul’s to try to erase the spiritual heart of the city and the Christian faith.  People protested.  Many were arrested.  Where once the Gospel rang out, there was but an empty hole after the explosions. 

Many years later, it was determined to replace the church. The building that replaced St. Paul’s was in the shape of the former church, but cold and dead in comparison to what had been dynamited.  Sadly, so much more was lost in terms of faith in their culture, not to mention the lives of so many people lost in the war.  

But, God is gracious.  The Gospel of Jesus that could not be halted by the cross of calvary, continues to this day.  Jesus rose from the dead and His church still calls all people to repentance and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.  Even in a very broken and secularist society, even in Leipzig, the song of faith is heard.  And today we remember the victory of one of God’s servants who died on this day 271 years ago, Johann Sebastian Bach.  For through His compositions we are still lifted to look to Jesus, believe and be saved.

Let us pray

Lord God heavenly Father, I thank you for your rich mercy in giving your Gospel to your church so that your love in Jesus is still heard among us.  I thank you for church musicians who help us to take this Gospel with us into the week, giving us an eternal song in our hearts.  Bless all who labor in your church to provide music.  Direct them so that their musical efforts will clearly proclaim your word and glorify Jesus Christ.  In your name I pray.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Exodus 16:3

“Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Slavery for the people of Israel was a living death.  The Pharaoh feared their population and had put in place policies to diminish their whole population. Similar to governmental policies around the world today, births were restricted, working conditions were intentionally made deadly, and suffering was increased.  

The people prayed to the Lord for deliverance, and God heard their cry for help.  He sent His servant Moses, and with mighty miracles He rescued His people from slavery.  God was taking them to the promised land.

But, even though they had barely begun their journey, some began to panic.  They feared the journey.  They had come along, perhaps, thinking that this was the easy way out.  But, instead, they faced a journey across a wilderness.  Of themselves, they could see no way they would ever survive.  This wasn’t easy way out that they expected.

It is thought that among the Israelites were many hangers on, people who left with them.  They didn’t believe, formed the core of a rabble, and were quick to complain.  This rabble was able to stir up unbelief among God’s people.  We see this situation today whenever the way forward involves difficulty and sacrifice.  The easy way out is as tempting as ever and complaint is common.

There is no easy way out.  For this reason, faith in God is necessary.  God proved His own faithfulness when He provided His people with manna from heaven, meat, and water in abundance.  God cared for His people during the worst trials.  For those who trusted in the Lord, the trials — though difficult —  served to affirm their faith.  For those who complained in unbelief, the journey was too much.  They quickly fell into sin.

God has shown us that putting our faith in the easy way out is a deception.  The faithful way in Jesus is our only salvation.  Jesus is Himself the faithful one, who didn’t turn aside from us, even though our salvation meant His death on cross and grave.  Jesus continued undeterred for us and our salvation.  On the third day He rose from the dead and shows us the future of all who trust in Him.  

Though faith seems easy, as in “just trust in the Lord and your will be saved.”  We know also that because of our sinful nature, such faith is impossible for us.  We too easily trust in the attitudes shown by those who longed for their old slave life in Egypt.  Therefore, God helps us. The Holy Spirit encourages us through faith to follow Jesus all our days, and through all our trials.  In this way God brings us to our eternal Home with Him, which will be the promised land,  the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. 

LET US PRAY

I thank you Lord for strengthening me in faith all the days of my life.  Sustain all who call you their Lord and Savior, especially during times of physical and spiritual trial, so that we will remember Jesus Holy example, give thanks for your gifts, and bear all difficulties, trusting in your faithfulness in Jesus.  In HIs Name I pray,  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Mark 10:35-37

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

July 25 is a day the church has chosen to commemorate St. James the Elder, the brother of John.  Since yesterday was July 25th, your pastor may have mentioned St. James in his sermon.  We are thankful for the faithful believers that God has used in the past, and still uses today, to share the Gospel with all nations.

When it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus, you may rightly think that there are others better suited for such a high calling than you.  Seriously, how many of us walked with Jesus and witnessed His miracles.  This is true!  James was wonderfully prepared to share the Gospel from the perspective of a first hand witness.  He did share the Gospel faithfully, and even to the point of martyrdom, He remained faithful in His calling.  He was, in fact, the first of the apostles to die as a martyr.

But, it is also important to remember that even the great apostles of the Lord, needed the Lord Jesus to be their Savior.  As we are sinners, so were they! They, like us, had no hope with Jesus.  The text I read for you illustrates this point.  James and John wanted to secure positions of honor as disciples.  We are not told in the Bible why they wanted this honor.  But, along with the other disciples, we may speculate about their motives in wanting to be first.  This isn’t helpful, but it is human nature to think less of James and John for their request.

Jesus, in Matthew 10, goes on to talk about what truly makes one great.  Greatness doesn’t come from being honored, but from being a humble servant, even to the point of death.  James and John thought themselves up to the challenge.  James, obviously, was willing to die for the Lord, and he did.  But, were it not for Jesus perfect sacrifice, all would have been lost for James, and for us.

Jesus offered Himself for us and through faith in Him we are forgiven and share in His resurrection to eternal life.  Whatever other honors God may decide to bestow on His servants isn’t our concern.  For in Jesus we have already been honored with forgiveness, eternal life, and a place in God’s eternal kingdom.

With that in mind, we can also be certain that because we have been so wondrously blessed by the Lord, we are “good enough” to share with others the Love of God in Jesus.  Being “good enough” in God’s plan, isn’t about us be first among each other, but about God putting us first in Jesus.  Therefore, we can simply share what God has done for us in Jesus. God Himself will give us the opportunities to tell others of our wonderful Savior Jesus.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for the ministry of your faithful apostles, and especially your servant James.  Help me to remember all those whom you have give to serve me with the Gospel in my congregation.  Strengthen me and grant me the words to share the joy of what Jesus has done for me with all who would hear.  I ask this in your name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Psalm 23:2-3

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Blessings are wonderful, but they are often invisible.  When troubles hits our lives, those troubles loom large and frightening.  Why is this so, when blessings also abound? Troubles are magnified by the evil one and our own weak faith.

Because of this, we are naturally attracted to worry and fear.  When that happens, blessings can be overshadowed.  It is possible to forget blessings altogether.  When the green pastures become small in our minds, we can be sure that our faith is suffering.

God’s Word brings a healthy correction to our perception of life.  From the midst of our daily lives in a sinful world, God’s Word strengthens our faith to bring balance to our understanding of reality.  Through faith in Jesus, we are enabled to see the blessings of God and appreciate the green pastures and quiet waters that are in the Lord Himself.  

This is more than just a beautiful of scene of pastoral meditation. Psalm 23 teaches us about Jesus.  In Him we have a Good Shepherd who cares for us.  The restoration of our souls was created on His cross of sacrifice for our sins.  The living water of the Psalm anticipates Holy Baptism where God claimed us as His children and brings us to life through faith.

The universal appreciation of the 23rd Psalm is no doubt due to the fact of our great need for rest in the Lord’s presence.  But, more than just a pastoral vision, the 23rd Psalm points us to Jesus and our life in Him.  May the blessings of Jesus refresh your faith today and always.

Let us pray

I thank you Lord Jesus for offering me all perfect blessings as a gift through faith.  Help me to clearly see your blessings today.  May the distractions of the evil one and my own wavering faith never cause me to miss the joys that you have given to your people.  Help all pastors and congregations as they prepare for services this Sunday.  May your church be as a green pasture and a place of quiet water to refresh your people.  In your name I pray, AMEN.

Mark 6:14-16

The Death of John the Baptist

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Wicked rulers use death as a way to terrorize and dominate a population.  This is as common in the past as it is today.  King Herod, though he was tricked into executing John the Baptist, still refused to lose face in front of the population.  So he executed John to demonstrate his authority and terrible rule.

But, what if such a terrible authority could be undone?  When King Herod heard about Jesus, he feared that John had in fact been raised from the dead.  This brought terror to the guilty King’s soul.  If there is a resurrection, the King’s greatest threat could be broken.

The fact is, something more wonderful was about to happen.  As John’s soul rested in paradise with the Lord, having completed His calling, Jesus entered to fulfill the Love of God and promise of the Father to send a Savior.  Through Jesus, all powers of evil would be overcome.

Once again a wicked ruler exercised a self serving authority and commanded that Jesus be executed.  Earthly rulers once again thought that they had established their way.  But, God had other plans.

Jesus came to die on the cross, and bear the wages of the Sin of the World.  On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating God’s authority to forgive sins and raise to life all who trust in Jesus.  Earthly authorities, and all those who opposed Jesus, were terrified.  But now, all who confess their sins, and trust in the Lord Jesus, will be saved.

The wicked fear the resurrection, for at the resurrection they will face the true judge of their souls.  But, for those who trust in God’s mercy and grace in Jesus, there is no fear.  There is only the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting with the Lord.  

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for facing all the terrors of this life and earthly rulers for my sake.  I praise you for bearing my sin and suffering death for me.  I praise you for your glorious resurrection from the dead and for giving me the gift of eternal life.  Grant peace to your people in their trials, remind us always of your victory, and help us in faith to look forward in confidence to the day of the resurrection.  In your name I pray,  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 1:11-14

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Many items offer a guarantee.  Manufacturers will often advertise that they guarantee that their product will perform as intended. Such a guarantee gives the customer a feeling that they are protected. If something goes wrong with the item they have purchased, the manufacturer will make things right.

Of course, a guarantee is only as good as the company that stands behind it.  You are only as protected as far as the integrity of the company that offers the guarantee.  The main thing to know is that the guarantee is like a guard, protecting you from loss.

In this passage the Holy Spirit is called “the guarantee of our inheritance until will acquire possession of it.”  What is our inheritance?  Our inheritance is the forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to provide for our salvation.  Through His death our sins are forgiven.  Through His resurrection, we know that we too shall rise with Him on the last day.  Throughout this life, we have the Holy Spirit to carry us through to the day when we will receive this inheritance.

In this way, the Holy Spirit acts as a guarantee, a guard, and our protector.  Daily God the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith.  He protects us and draws us close to our Savior Jesus.  God the Holy Spirit teaches us the meaning of the Holy Scriptures and strengthens us agains the temptations and assaults of the evil one.  

There is no guarantee better than what God Himself provides.  The Holy Spirit is with us to bring us to our eternal possession, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting.  In God’s faithful protection we can at last find peace and know that our salvation is secure, even in the midst of earthly trials.

Let us pray,

O Lord God, I thank you for your grace in sending your only begotten Son Jesus to provide for my salvation. I also praise you for the gifts of my baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit to guard my faith and guarantee my inheritance.  I give you praise for your mercy and ask for your continued protection for all your saints.  Especially, O Holy Spirit, I pray for all your people suffering physical persecution or spiritual trial. In Jesus name.  Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Ephesians 1:3-10

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

I lead many church camping trips over the years. Planning was always important.  Long lists, printed schedules, and notes for campers consumed time and energy.  The planning was helpful, but only to a point.  When camping, there are many things beyond your control, not the least of which is the weather.  So, while we had a plan, we also had to learn to accept our situation and adapt.  More than that, since we were on a church camp, we learned to trust that God was leading and guiding us in all circumstances.  Both when we were doing what we planned, and when we were facing what only God could plan, God is in control.

The Bible reading from Ephesians 1 is an encouragement when our path in life becomes particularly difficult.  I won’t say that terrible weather and frightening circumstances are fun.  Not to this camper.  But, I do know in the most difficult times, that prayer is fitting and God is caring and God is faithful.  Therefore we can trust that even the things that we can’t understand have a place in His eternal plan of salvation for us in Christ Jesus. 

Jesus never lost sight of the big picture and the big plan of salvation and eternal life.  His disciples struggled, as do we, during the great trials they faced.  But, God carried them through Jesus crucifixion, resurrection and called them to share the Gospel with all nations.  God’s plan is that by confessing our sins and trusting in Jesus as our Savior we will share in Jesus’ resurrection and eternal life.  

In coming through the trials of life, through faith in Jesus, we are brought closer to our Savior and to one another.  We are allowed to experience God’s faithful love and be strengthened by God the Holy Spirit as we trust in God’s plan as it unfolds.  May God grant us the joy of knowing Jesus in all circumstances and remind us of God’s love and our future in Him.  

Let Us Pray,

I thank you heavenly Father for your faithful love that has held me close to you all my life.  Help me to remember my Savior Jesus’ faithfulness throughout HIs trials for my sake.  O Holy Spirit, guard and keep me, and all who face challenges this day. Help us to be strong in faith and bold in witness to the Gospel.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Amos 7:7-15

7 This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line

    in the midst of my people Israel;

    I will never again pass by them;

the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,

    and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,

    and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

Amos Accused

10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said,

“‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

    and Israel must go into exile

    away from his land.’”

12 And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, 13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Are you qualified to speak?  That was the problem that the prophet Amos faced.  He wasn’t a “prophet” or even a “prophet’s son.”  It would seem that He was agreeing that he had no qualification to speak.  Why then was he prophesying?

Amos said, “… the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”  Our calling isn’t grounded simply on our skills, vocational choice, or family background.  Ultimately, it is the Lord Himself who places us in our calling to do His will.  Amos could speak because God placed Him there to prophesy.  He had to speak in obedience to God’s call.

It is good to remember this as we think of our own callings in life.  Our vocational choice is one thing, but our calling as God’s people encompasses everything!  When we were baptized, we were united with Jesus.  His life, death on the cross, and resurrection became ours.  His ministry is seen in our daily lives.  Jesus’ life forms and empowers every part of who we are.  The significance of our lives is found in Jesus.  We rejoice, for through  Jesus, the eternal is made flesh even in us today.  

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for your faithful prophets.  Help me to be faithful to the calling that you have given to me in my baptism.  In your name I pray.  AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.