Trinity 9                                                                                                                                                  August 18, 2019
2 Samuel 22:26-34
 
v.31   This God—His way is perfect;  the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
 
Dear friends in Christ, this great song of praise, which serves as the OT text for this morning, was sung by King David following his deliverance from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.  Repeatedly David cries out to the Lord in thanks and praise—for though God had given David gifts and talents in the theatre of war—though God had made David a great and glorious warrior king—David knows and recognizes that his successes—indeed, his very life and salvation—are owed not to himself or his own prowess on the field of battle—but rather solely to God Most High. 
This is, of course, characteristic of David, whose “rags to riches” story is filled with his being miraculously saved/delivered by the hand of God.  From the encounter with Goliath when David was but a young lad, to his constant flight from the murderous King Saul—all glory, praise, and honour go to the Lord.  This is what makes David Israel’s greatest king—not his battle excellence—not the way he expanded the borders of the kingdom or routed his enemies—but purely his humble and repentant heart—his simple trust in the Lord his God to preserve him in all things.
          David even declares that God’s way is perfect.  Perfect!  Perfect?!  For years David was forced to run and hide in caves from the insanely jealous and wrathful King Saul.  For years David was plagued with enemies on all sides—even from within his own household—with his rebellious son, Absalom.  And yet, here in his song, David declares that God’s way is perfect—it is complete in its integrity. 
          How can he say such a thing?  How can he have the audacity to speak in this way?  Purely by God’s grace through faith.  David knew and trusted in the Lord.  He knew that the Word of the Lord is proven true—like gold that has been refined over and over again in the fire—so is the Word of the Lord—a pure and holy and precious treasure.  David realized that even when all seemed wrong and crazy—that God had a plan and God’s Word would prove true in the end.
          You see, God had promised David—made a covenant with Him—that David’s house and kingdom would be made sure forever—his throne established forever—one of his own offspring would be established as king for all eternity.  And David believed in the promises of the Lord.  He trusted that no matter what happened the Lord would be with him and make His Word come true.  That the Lord would be his ever-present help in trouble—his rock and his shield. 
          Isn’t that what you and I want, too, dear friends?  To be shielded/protected/sheltered from the evils of this life?  Wouldn’t that be nice?  To not have to worry about anything and to know it’s all gonna be OK in the end? 
          Thanks be to God that IS the case for you and for all who believe.  To be sure, there is always something trying to bring us down—be it problems with friends, family, work, the world, etc.  There are those things that tempt us to forsake the faith—things that seek to tear us away from Christ.  The guilt of our sin can play a major factor—as can the terrible effects of sin that we see in this life—how much hurt and pain and sorrow it causes us and our loved ones.  But God is “a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.  For who is God, but the LORD?  And who is a rock, except our God?  This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless.  He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.”
          In Jesus Christ has God come to you and for you.  Christ the LORD is the Rock—the chief cornerstone of our faith—He is the One who has borne all the guilt of our sin—setting us free from the dreadful bonds that drag us down—making us like the fleet-footed deer that can run and jump with such amazing agility.  He has lifted you up from the depths of your sin and your sorrow—by the power of His cross and resurrection—you have been raised from death to life and now rest secure on the heights—free from all danger—shielded from all your enemies through faith in the Son of God who came to take away all of your sin.
          David knew to trust in the Lord God and in His Word.  That the Word of the Lord is a lamp shining in the darkness to lead and to guide His children to safety.  The darkness of the shadow of death cannot harm you when you are in the Light of Christ Jesus who is Light and Life immortal.  He promises to shield you from the consequences of your sin by shielding you with His own crucified and risen body—that you may be showered in the protection of His shed blood that was applied to you in your Baptism.
          Now sometimes God’s way doesn’t always seem perfect.  Sometimes God’s way seems ludicrous and doomed to failure—like the dishonest manager.  But the dishonest manager was shrewd enough to understand the nature of the Master.  He understood that the Master is first and foremost merciful.  Just so with God the Lord.  He has acted in mercy for you and for me. 
          Did it make sense for Him to send His only-begotten Son, Jesus, to take on our human flesh, suffer, and die in our place?  To us that seems insanity!  But that is the perfect way of the Lord to bring about the salvation of sinners like you and me.  He promises to shield us from the flaming attacks of the devil through simple water combined with His Word of promise.  Make sense?  Nope, but it’s true, because God has said so.  He uses simple elements like wheat to make bread that hosts His own body when combined with His Word of promise.  Again, does this make sense?  Heavens no.  So why do we believe it?  Because God has promised to work through these things for our good in His Word.
          It always goes back to the Word.  Because “the Word of the Lord proves true.”  The Word of the Lord is Jesus in the flesh.  He has proven the entire word of God true by His dying and rising again for sinners even as He Himself foretold.  So that you and I may rejoice and take comfort and consolation in His Word at all times.  For the Word of the Lord is always true.  And His Word declares to you in no uncertain terms that He has had mercy on you for the sake of Jesus Christ and forgiven all your sin because of the blood that was shed for you.  His Word declares you a full and freely forgiven child of God—absolved in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen

​Trinity 5                                                                                                                                                           July 21, 2019
Luke 5:1-11
 
The Deadliest Catch
 
v.10b          And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
 
          Dear friends in Christ, fishing can be a dangerous business at times.  You know what it can be like to have your boat dragged across the river by a raging sturgeon!  You know what it can be like to be calmly fishing one moment on a placid lake and the next see dark storm clouds rapidly approaching with no safe harbour in sight.  But fishing around here can pale in comparison to the risks and dangers associated with fishing for crab in the Bearing Sea off the coast of Alaska.  Discovery channel produced a famous reality show known as "Deadliest Catch" to highlight the dangers, excitements, and rewards of such fishing.  Sure, you can potentially make 30k in less than a month--but at what cost!--what risk!--to life and limb.
          Indeed, fishing can be a dangerous activity at times.  After all, fish can have sharp fins and even sharper teeth--and they don't generally care who or what or where they bite.  Fish can break lines, rods, and even nets!
          Well, in our text for this morning we see Jesus calling His first disciples--professional fishermen--to give up their hard and difficult labour of fishing on the Sea of Galilee--to go after an even more dangerous and daunting catch--to be fishers of men!  They knew well the risks of fishing--the hard work, risk of drowning, capsizing boats, etc., but now they were being called to pursue the most dangerous catch of all--men--human beings.
          Indeed, we know from church history that the risks of evangelism in the ancient Roman empire would be far greater than those of fishing on the Sea of Galilee or even the Bearing Sea!  11 out of 12 apostles would be martyred for their faithful witness to Jesus Christ crucified for sinners.  And even the 12th--John--would face years of exile and imprisonment.  But the rewards far outweigh any potential risks--for the Lord Jesus promises the crown of everlasting life for all those who believe--not just for the fishers of men--but for the men and women and children who hear that call to faith and receive it with joy and thanksgiving.
          Modern day fishermen are equipped with incredible gear to help improve their chances of catching their worthy quarry: awesome boats, GPS, sonar, fish finders, massive nets and incredible rods, reels, and lines--not to mention state of the art lures and baiting systems.  Even with specialized safety gear, however, and all the technology available, fishing is still hard work--and can still be dangerous.  Off the coast of Alaska an average of one fisherman still loses their life each week during the short fishing season.
          With this in mind, what is it that Jesus promises to equip His people with for this momentous (and sometimes dangerous) task of brining people to faith in Him?  Could His disciples look forward to a sure-fire method and message that would change peoples' hearts and minds and bring them flooding into the doors of the church?  Would they at least be given special protection so that when the message of the Gospel wasn't readily received they wouldn't have to worry about the fish turning on them like a bunch of Great White sharks in a feeding frenzy?  No.
          Jesus equips His church--His people--with the simplest of fishing gear--Words, water, bread and wine.  That's it.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  What Paul calls in our epistle, "a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles."  And yet, with these simple tools operated under Christ's express command and instruction, fishing-of-men miracles happen every day! 
           I know, it seems ludicrous.  It seems impossible.  I don't doubt that Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John first looked at Jesus with shock and concern.  "Really Jesus?  You want us to go out into the world with nothing more than Your Word and these simple, common, everyday elements?  No magic displays of power?  No certainty about how our message will be received--except that most of the time it will result in persecution and hardship for us?  Sounds great!  Sign me up."  But look at the hall of fish they received at trusting Jesus' word to go fishing--so much that the nets broke and the boats began to sink! 
          Beloved, we must always have an eye for the end result.  Yes, the work is hard.  Yes it is dangerous.  But oh how wonderful it is!  What a joy and a privilege it is to share Christ's redeeming work with someone and see the change in their heart take place by the working of the Holy Spirit.  A true miracle is witnessed each time someone is "caught" in the Gospel net and brought into the boat of the Holy Christian church.  Whether it happens through the Word of the Gospel that we speak, or the Word combined with the water of Baptism, the result is the same.  Sinners are washed clean of their sin and are given eternal life and salvation.  All because of the Word of Jesus.
          What a crew the boat of the holy church consists of.  People of every shape and size--every age and background.  From the rough and tumble biker dudes covered in tattoos--to the white-haired grannies with quilts--to young children zipping from place to place--the crew of the boat of the Christian church is a motley crew indeed!  But all of us--caught by God's grace are drawn together by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus.  All of us share a common goal and task--to be fishers of men--whether by a quilt made with love for a High School graduate--or a Sunday School craft made of macaroni and glue that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord--we all are in the boat together--labourers for Christ--recipients of His forgiveness and mercy by the blood He shed on the cross to save us from our sin.
          It seems folly--ridiculous--to the world--that simple words could be so effective--particularly in such a hostile sea as the world in which we live with its anti-Christian sentiments that seek to overturn the boat of the church and drown all her crew.  Indeed, at times the situations Christians face in this hazardous sea we call the world, make the Bearing Sea look like a tiny kiddie pool filled with warm water.
          Nevertheless, through these simple means of grace--Word and Sacrament--that bespeak us righteous--forgive people's sins--reconcile us to God forever--the Lord Jesus powerfully calls people to faith.  Not through fancy tricks or lures--but by a simple net--the net of the Gospel--the Good News of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, crucified for sinners like you and me.  This Gospel net catches men, women, and children of all shapes and sizes--for Jesus laid down His life for all people.  He caught our sin and crucified it on the cross so that we could be forgiven and granted life and salvation by His powerful Word.
          The catch of mankind from sin was truly the deadliest catch of all--for it cost the very God and Creator of all--the Lord of Life Himself--Jesus Christ--to suffer and die--in our place--so that we might saved--and dragged kicking and screaming into the safety of the boat of His holy church.  Though your sin be great--through the blood of Jesus it is all wiped away.  Though you be frightened and scared at the persecution you will face for confessing Christ--He promises to be with you and strengthen you with His very own body and blood so that you can give the good confession--even unto death if necessary.
          This is what the church does, beloved.  She announces God's goodness and mercy in Christ to the world--for the world.  We baptize babies with water in the name of triune God to drive off demons and to cleanse from all sin.  And the Lord feeds the crew of His church the richest of meals--the very body and blood of the Captain of the church--Jesus Christ--in simple bread and wine.  So that as you eat of this blessed food you may be strengthened in the fullness of the forgiveness of your sins and so face the grueling work ahead in the coming hours, days, weeks, and years--never losing hope--never losing the joy that is yours because of what Jesus has done for you by dying on the cross for you, personally.
          Our blessed Captain--the Lord Jesus--guides and leads His people through the dark and turbulent waters of life in this broken and sinful world.  He does so through His church and the Word she proclaims.  He reassures us of His love and faithfulness no matter what we face or what struggles and trials we may endure--be it sickness, relationship troubles, or the prospect of death itself.  Through it all Christ gives His forgiveness and life to His people whom He has drawn in to His saving church. 
          Jesus has called you and me into His church--the boat which is His body.  And we go fishing--for men, women, and children--knowing Jesus goes with us--through the storms of this life as well as through smooth sailing.  He goes with you and assures you by His Absolution, Baptism, and Supper that you are forgiven--redeemed by His shed blood--and so have received eternal life and salvation--through faith in Him who DIED to catch YOU.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

men​Trinity 3                                                                                                                                                         July 7, 2019
1 Timothy 1:12-17
 
Rejoicing in Repentance!
 
v.15   The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, we have as our text for this morning some very strange words from St. Paul—at least at first glance.  This blessed apostle—the one through whom the Gospel was preached to many people across the Mediterranean world—a worker of miracles—one who drove out demons, and even raised the dead!—refers to himself here in this pastoral letter to Timothy—as the CHIEF of sinners.  "What?!" we think to ourselves.  "That can't be!"  If the apostle Paul wasn't a holy man—a good man—a righteous man—than who is? 
          Paul, of course, does reference the fact that he formerly was "a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent" to the Christian faith.  He was known as Saul of Tarsus—a Hebrew of Hebrews—a Pharisee of Pharisees—who regularly sought out Christians to imprison, and even kill.  Indeed, Saul was standing by, holding men's cloaks, when Stephen was martyred in Jerusalem.  So, we could think to ourselves that Paul, when he was Saul, was indeed the chief of sinners.  I mean he took Jesus' name in vain, calling curses down upon those who called Christ Lord and God, and went on search and destroy missions to hunt down the fledgling Christian church in order to persecute it and bring it to ruin.  Few had gone to such extremes against Christ's church at the time. 
          But notice this is not what Paul writes to Timothy.  He says, "The saying is trustworthy (faithful and true) and deserving of all acceptance (weight and honor), that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I AM the foremost."  He uses the present tense.  He does not say he WAS the chief of sinners, but that he IS the chief of sinners—right here and now.  How can this be?  I mean, Saul of Tarsus was confronted by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, struck blind, and given faith by the Holy Spirit to repent of his sin and trust in Christ to forgive.  At the time of this letter to Timothy, he is a devout Christian man—an apostle, no less!—a man sent by the risen Christ Himself to proclaim the Gospel to Jew and Gentile alike.  He has received the redemption of Christ for all his sins through faith in Jesus.  He has been baptized.  He regularly eats and drinks the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of his sins in the holy supper!  How can he still consider himself the chief of sinners?
          Simply put, St. Paul considers himself the chief of sinners because he is a believer in the Word of God and what it says about him.  God's Word is clear that ALL are sinful and fall short of the glory of God, as St. Paul writes in his letter to the Roman church.  He believes the words of King David in Psalm 51 (v.5), "Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."  He knows that he is a fallen man—a son of Adam and Eve—corrupted fully and completely by sin and deserving of nothing other than God's full wrath.
          But note that this recognition of his sinful state doesn't leave Paul in despair as we might think.  Rather, this only drives him to the foot of the cross—to the Lord Jesus Himself—to the only One who is holy, good, and righteous—for "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."  We see this beautifully reflected for us in our Gospel reading this morning in the parables of the lost sheep and coin.  Jesus comes to seek and to save the lost.  Jesus comes only for sinners.  If you are not a sinner, then you have no need of Jesus.  But the Word of God is clear—we are all sinners—and so we are all in need of Jesus and His saving grace and mercy given to us in His cross and resurrection.
          Often, we are tempted, as Christians, to think too lightly of our sin—to imagine that we are not as bad off as the Scriptures proclaim us to be.  Yet, we dare not confess this truth—that we are the chief of sinners—we dare not confess our sin with our fingers crossed behind our back, thinking in our hearts that we are not really all THAT bad—that certainly there are WORSE sinners out there than me! 
          No, beloved!  Each of us—every one of us—is the chief of sinners—every one of us is fully corrupted by sin—every one of us is deserving of God's full and just wrath in hell.  A quick glance at your life in perspective against the Ten Commandments shows this abundant truth: you have fallen into idolatry, you have misused God's name, forsaken His Word, dishonored authorities, failed to care for your neighbor's bodily needs, coveted the possessions and relationships of others, and not respected the covenant of marriage, nor your neighbor's good name.  But now remember that you, too, have "received mercy for this reason, that in [you], as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life."  We can look at the example of St. Paul's life—of the mercy he received at the hands of Jesus through no merit or worthiness in and of himself—as the display of Christ's longsuffering patience shown to all penitent sinners—including you and me. 
          Though you have strayed and wandered like foolish sheep—though you are dead in your trespasses and sins, unable to help yourself in any way—like a lost coin—yet you are one for whom Christ Jesus has suffered long and hard upon the cross.  You are one for whom He willingly went to the cross and shed His blood, endured the wrath of God, so that you might be freed from your bondage to sin and death and hell. 
          Rejoice and be glad that by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God you have been brought to penitent faith!  Rejoice that you can freely confess that you are the chief of sinners—for there is "more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance," because "there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 
          Truly, give thanks to God, that "This man [Jesus] receives sinners and eats with them."  You are the chief of sinners.  You are the one for whom Christ has come and died.  You are the one whom He receives and invites to His own Holy Supper.  As you come forward this day to this holy meal, remember that you are the chief of sinners—and that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  As you feast upon His true body and blood given into death for your sins on the cross, you can rejoice and be glad!  Yes, you are a sinner!  But you are a sinner for whom Christ has suffered and died. 
          What great joy we have in sharing this good news with our neighbors.  We can gently point out there sinfulness, too, so that we can confess our sin together and receive God's forgiveness for that sin in Christ Jesus, even as we do each week when we begin our divine service.  We can freely confess our sin—no matter how big—for we know that "the grace of our Lord [overflows] for [us] with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."  God's grace abounds exceedingly—superabundantly—for all those who humbly repent of their sin and trust in God's mercy in Christ to remove that sin. 
          When the devil comes to you to tempt you to despair by showing you how great is your sin—you do not collapse into despair—but rather fall to your knees in joy and thanksgiving.  For, if you truly are a sinner as Satan has pointed out to you, then you are one for whom Christ has poured out His holy blood.  No sin is too big for the grace of God in Christ Jesus to cover.  His longsuffering patience has endured the wrath of God for your sin in your place—so that you might believe in Him for eternal life.  As the familiar hymn puts it (LSB 611 v.1), "Chief of sinners though I be,  Jesus shed His blood for me,  Died that I might live on high,  Lives that I might never die.  As the branch is to the vine,  I am His and He is mine."  Therefore, "To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  [Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.] Amen

​Trinity 1                                                                                                                                                      June 23, 2019
Luke 16:19-31
 
Faith and Love Go Hand in Hand
 
v.19-20       There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.  And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores…
 
          Dear friends in Christ, the theme for this Sunday could simply be put as that old Lutheran axiom, "Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone."  We see this reflected in each of our texts for today.  In the O.T. reading, Abram is comforted by the Word of God concerning God's promise to give him an heir of his own body (though Abram had already been waiting for decades at this point).  Yet, in the face of the Lord's clear Word, "[Abram] believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness" (Gen. 15:6).  So righteousness is received by believing the Lord's Word—faith.  Furthermore, St. John records in our epistle the close connection between faith (love of God) and good works (love of neighbor).  He writes, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him; whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:20-21).
          And then we have our Gospel text, in which Jesus is telling the Pharisees (lovers of money and of self) a story about an unnamed rich man, and a poor man named Lazarus, whose name means "God is my help."  The rich man dressed in the finest of clothes, lived in the poshest of neighborhoods, drove the fanciest cars, ate the choicest foods, and drank the finest wines.  Being blessed with such material wealth and possessions he believed himself to be rigtheous—assured of a place in God's kingdom.  How could God not love him?  Just look at how great he was—what God had given him?  This man lived in celebrated luxury—showing off ostentatiously—but he was truly poor in deed.  For he lacked the one thing needful:  faith. 
          How can you be so sure, pastor?  After all, he is familiar with Abraham and the Scriptures.  And yet, he had no love.  How do we know that he lacked true faith in God—because he failed to love his neighbor in obvious need.  The poor man, Lazarus, was laid outside the rich man's gate.  No doubt Lazarus could hear the partying and the feasting going on inside as the rich man hosted the Who's Who of the local community.  Lazarus' mouth watered at the smells wafting out of the kitchen—even as he hacked and coughed, growing weaker and weaker as the sores on his body opened and oozed pus and blood.  But the rich man took no notice.  He ignored the plight of this poor, sick man, even though he had every means, every opportunity to exhibit Christian love and charity.  Lazarus, having been tossed before the rich man's gate like a sack of garbage—is ignored—except to be booted out of the way when the rich man left the house in his Ferrari.  Only the dogs offered Lazarus any consolation—any mercy—by licking his wounds.
          However, as is often the case with Jesus' stories, there is an abrupt and sudden reversal of fortunes.  When does this happen?  Upon the death of both men.  Lazarus "died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.  The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side."  How jarring this must have been for the rich man.  He who had assumed throughout his life that, because of his great fortune and wealth, God had surely blessed him, and that he was therefore in a right relationship with God, only to find upon his death, that he was outside of the household of faith.  Yet his lack of faith soon becomes evident to all when he opens his mouth to speak.
          The rich man, being tormented in hell for his sin and unbelief, seeks not mercy from God almighty, but from Abraham!  Nor does he even seek to be released from the anguish of hell, but rather only mild temporary relief, by using Lazarus as a servant.  When he is chastised by Abraham, he then switches tactics, seeking to prevent his brothers from entering hell; again he desires Lazarus to be sent as a messenger—a tool.  But Abraham rebukes him once more, saying, "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them."  They have the Word of God.  Let them read from Holy Scripture what true faith is about—let them learn from the Word of God about the Word of God made flesh—He who comes to save His people from their sins—He who comes to suffer the torments of hell in the place of sinners and so set them free from bondage to sin and death—for a life to be filled with faith and hope and love.  AGAIN the rich man argues!  "'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'  He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"
          Beloved, faith and works go hand in hand, but this faith is only brought about by the saving Word of God alone.  This Word that is proclaimed into your ears this day, moves you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to repent of your sin—your failure to love as you ought—both God and neighbor—and to look to Christ alone for your hope and salvation.  To cry out, the Christian plea of faith, "Kyrie Eleison!  Lord, have mercy!"  We cry out not to any of the saints, be they Abraham, Moses, St. Peter, or St. Paul, but only to the One who can truly save—the Lord Jesus.  He who has had mercy on us by coming to us—taking on our flesh—being burdened with the guilt and shame of our sin—suffering hell and the full wrath of God for our every sin on the cross—dying the death that we deserve—and then rising again to new and everlasting life.  Christ Jesus has died for YOU!  His blood has been poured out to wash you clean of every spot and stain—to soothe your troubled consciences—and to strengthen your weak flesh—in His saving work and life.
          At times, dear friends, we are tempted (especially we Lutherans) to live our lives as if our good works don’t matter.  "Good works do not save!" we rightly state, but that does not mean that we are neither called to do good works, nor that our good works are unimportant or unnecessary.  For a faith without works is a dead faith—a false faith—a faith that leads only to hell.  True and living faith in Christ always results in good works.  The rich man did no good works—did not love his neighbor Lazarus whom he had seen—and so it is clear he did not love God whom He had not seen. 
          Listen to what James says in his epistle (2:13-18), "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.  What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.'  Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."  James is teaching exactly what Jesus is in our Gospel reading.  Faith and works go hand in hand.  We who have faith and trust in Christ to forgive our sins—also live our lives in love and service to our neighbor.
          Beloved, you have heard Moses and the Prophets and the whole counsel of God.  You have heard His Word that you are a sinner in need of His grace—a sick and dead man with no hope.  Christ has come and opened His heart to you by pouring out His life's blood for you on the cross.  Though convicted of your sin, you trust in God's Word of promise to you, just as Abraham did.  You look to the covenant of grace God made with you in your baptism and rejoice.  Knowing that though you are a sinner, you are a sinner for whom Christ has died, and who has been cleansed and healed by the saving blood of Jesus Christ. 
          Longing for God's grace and mercy, you are fed each week with the very Body and Blood of Christ from the Lord's own table.  He does not provide you with mere table scraps to sustain you—but rather the rich banquet of the very Son of God—which is but a foretaste of the feast that shall never end.  Though you may receive bad things in this life, yet you trust in God's Word that you shall be comforted in eternity—dressed in the robe of Christ's own righteousness, and living in the very home that Christ has gone to prepare for you, feasting for eternity with Abraham and Lazarus and all the saints.
          Truly, we can rejoice in the words of that old Lutheran hymn, "Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone  And rests in Him unceasing:  And by its fruits true faith is known,  With love and hope increasing.  For faith alone can justify;  Works serve our neighbor and supply  The proof that faith is living" (LSB 555 v.9).  Uplifted by the Word of Christ that dwells in you richly, and through which you hear and receive the forgiveness for all of your sins—your works of faith and love shine forth—all in joyful response to the One who died and rose again for you.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.